WIAREP Press Release

3 September 2003

The multi-agency renewable energy group WIAREP is going out to consultation with Community Planning partners on the issue of renewable energy and ‘Community Benefit’.

The WIAREP proposals for consultation are:

Operators of alternative and renewable energy developments in the Western Isles shall be encouraged to join the Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership;

In order to further sustainable development a Western Isles Community Wellbeing Trust shall be established, charged with administering a fund to promote community wellbeing and to ensure that the benefits of alternative and renewable energy developments are distributed and applied throughout the Western Isles

The Western Isles Community Wellbeing Trust shall be funded via financial support from alternative and renewable energy developments in the Western Isles on an ongoing basis;

The Western Isles Community Wellbeing Trust shall comprise of membership drawn from the Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership, the Western Isles Community Planning Partnership, and representatives from crofting/land owning/community interests;

Alternative and renewable energy developments in the Western Isles shall be subject to a restoration bond

A spokesperson for WIAREP said: “This is an issue of the greatest importance to the Western Isles and the future of alternative and renewable energy initiatives in our community will depend to a considerable extent on our achieving a community consensus on this issue. There has been a remarkable consensus in the Western Isles in relation to alternative and renewable energy and by working together we aim to maintain and develop that community consensus.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk