The Stòras Uibhist portfolio of development projects is extensive and the team is working hard to deliver them in a timely manner.

13th January 2010 *Stòras Uibhist secures £2,773,400 of ERDF Funding*

£2.5 million of ERDF funding has now been secured to install the 6.9MW windfarm at Loch Carnan.

£273,400 of ERDF funding has also been secured for the Stòras Uibhist Business Renewables project.

Lochcarnan Community Wind Farm

This project is Stòras Uibhist’s biggest and most imperative project in progress. Costing £11.5 million, it will generate an income of around £1 million per annum for the community which will be reinvested in further development projects. The project will run through a new company – South Uist Renewable Energy (SURE) – which will be a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Sealladh na Beinne Moire.

In May 2009 we achieved planning permission for the installation of a 3 turbine wind farm, 3km of access road and crane hard standings and foundations. The turbines will stand at 100 metres high to tip.

The wind farm will be located at Lochcarnan on the North end of South Uist. This site was identified in the feasibility study as the best potential site within the South Uist Estate area.

South Uist Renewable Feasibility Study (.pdf)

In August 2009 we submitted an application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for £2.5 million and are expecting their decision in November 2009.

In October 2009 an application was sent to the Big Lottery Fund (Growing Community Assets) for £1 million. We expect a decision on this funding grant by February 2009.

We have also applied for £1 million from the Scottish Investment Fund. The remainder of the costs will be met with debt finance.

Currently, installation is expected to happen by Spring 2011, dependant on grid connection availability. There is a significant amount of legal, technical and financial planning to be undertaken before the project can be achieved.

Recent activity saw the removal of the met mast which was installed near the wind farm site in November 2008 to record annual wind statistics. This information will help to ensure accurate revenue figures are projected.

Loch Carnan Community Wind Farm Business Plan 2009

Lochboisdale Port of Entry

The harbour area at Lochboisdale does not adequately meet the demands of existing users, and is sufficiently constrained to prevent any meaningful improvement or expansion of the existing facilities. (view Lochboisdale Harbour Evaluation Oct 2008)

It is proposed to escape the constraints of the immediate harbour area and provide for existing and future demand in the much larger area in and around the peninsula of Rubha Bhuailt and the island of Gasaigh, to the south and east of the village. (See proposed plans below)

Figure 3 – Proposed development area on aerial photography

The project ultimately aims to provide a new ferry pier, improved fishing facilities, business units, a marina and housing.

The first step to realising this is the phase 1 infrastructure development which will see the construction of a road and causeway to Gasay island, opening up the bay for potential improvements for the fishing industry and transportation.

Stòras Uibhist has worked hard to progress the Lochboisdale harbour regeneration phase 1 project during Summer 09;

A technical study - see Consultant’s Brief - has been commissioned to establish costs and appropriate design for the phase 1 development. A draft of the report is now available here – Lochboisdale Technical Study Draft

An Economic Impact Assessment was carried out by Steve Westbrook and this is being used to support the funding applications

Initial environmental impact studies have also been undertaken.

- Otter Survey

Phase 1 – Proposed General Layout
Phase 2 – Proposed Layout

A successful and well attended public consultation took place at the Calmac Office, Lochboisdale Pier on Sunday 2nd August 2009 where much feedback and comments were received from local residents and professionals. Wallace Stone carried out further public consultations in the preparation of the technical study. We will shortly be undertaking further consultation on receipt of the technical report.

We have submitted funding applications to ERDF, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES).

A planning application for this infrastructure phase will be submitted once the funding has been secured.

It is hoped construction will begin in 2010.

Stòras Uibhist Business Renewables (SUBR)

We are currently working on a business plan for a smaller scale renewables project where Stòras Uibhist would act as a third party energy supplier.

Askernish Golf Course Development

The Askernish Golf Course restoration was completed in 2008 with a significant level of volunteer support.

In 2009, 1000 visitor rounds were played over and above those played by the local members. This is an increase from 300 rounds per annum prior to the restoration. It is considered the additional 700 rounds were played by those who visited South Uist specifically to play golf on the restored course.

Stòras Uibhist and Askernish Golf Club now seek to build on this unique opportunity for the benefit of the local community. 2010 will see further course enhancements and a vigorous marketing campaign and more local events to increase community participation, particularly amongst the young.

New Office Development

Stòras Uibhist currently operate from a temporary office in Bornish. We are seeking to identify new office accommodation which will also provide services to other local and itinerant businesses and agencies.

We hope to have a further update on this in the near future.

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