A PIONEERING community energy group in the Cowal Peninsula has taken a historic step by submitting a tender to take over and repower a windfarm on public land, marking a first for Scotland.
Cowal Community Energy, a coalition of four development trusts covering approximately 80 per cent of the Cowal population, has lodged its bid with Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS) for the 30MW Cruach Mhor windfarm in Glendaruel. The group aims to replace the existing turbines with more efficient models and ensure that all future profits from the site are reinvested into the local community.
The current 25-year lease on the windfarm expires in 2029, presenting an opportunity for Cowal Community Energy to establish a fully community-owned renewable energy project. The group hopes to replicate the success of community windfarms in the Highlands, which generate around £100,000 per megawatt annually for local benefit. This is significantly higher than the maximum ‘good practice’ contribution of £5,000 per megawatt per year from corporate windfarm developments.
A 2021 study by Orkney-based consultancy Aquatera highlighted the financial advantages of community ownership, showing that locally-owned windfarms return, on average, 34 times more financial benefit per megawatt installed than those under corporate ownership.
Graeme Murray, a director of Cowal Community Energy, explained the motivation behind the bid, saying: “We established Cowal Community Energy in December after learning that Forestry & Land Scotland had opened tenders for the repowering of Cruach Mhor. With the submission deadline in early February, we had to act quickly.”
“Our proposal advocates for 100 per cent community ownership, aligning with FLS’s commitment to supporting local ownership where feasible. It also supports the UK and Scottish governments’ objectives to expand community ownership of renewable energy.”
Murray emphasised that while other corporate windfarm projects are under discussion in Cowal, Cowal Community Energy is not looking to influence those decisions. Instead, the group is focused on ensuring that windfarms on public land generate maximum benefits for local people rather than external investors.
“If successful, we will seek the backing of both the Scottish and UK governments. With their support, this could become a flagship community energy project, setting a precedent for maximising community benefit from renewables on publicly owned land.”
Support from the wider community energy sector Cowal Community Energy has been working with Community Energy Scotland to secure funding and expertise needed to advance the project.
Zoe Holliday, CEO of Community Energy Scotland, welcomed the initiative, saying: “We are excited to support Cowal Community Energy in its ambitious proposal to repower a 30MW windfarm. As part of the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy, we have been advocating for community groups to be given priority access to new and renewed leases on publicly owned land. This aligns with Forestry & Land Scotland’s commitments, and we look forward to seeing them deliver on this policy at scale, starting with Cruach Mhor.”
The group has also received guidance from Point & Sandwick Trust, which successfully operates the 9MW Beinn Ghrideag windfarm on the Isle of Lewis. Since its launch in 2016, Beinn Ghrideag has generated nearly £9 million in profits for the local community, funding initiatives such as fuel poverty relief, hospice support, and environmental restoration.
Calum MacDonald, Director of Point & Sandwick Trust, hailed the Cowal group’s efforts, adding: “There is an enormous opportunity for windfarms on publicly owned land to be community-run. Cowal Community Energy is pioneering something truly unique in Scotland: the largest community-owned windfarm in the UK.
“Our experience at Point & Sandwick has shown how even a small windfarm can generate substantial funding for local initiatives. If Cowal succeeds, the community could see millions reinvested over the lifetime of the new lease.”
Aiming for a brighter, locally- owned future Cowal Community Energy was established to represent local development trusts and ensure the whole of Cowal benefits from renewable energy projects. Its founding members include Benmore & Kilmun Development Trust, Dunoon Community Development Trust, Sandbank Community Development Trust, and South Cowal Trust (in formation). Other development trusts are encouraged to join to create a united front for maximising community ownership and control over renewable energy initiatives.
Point & Sandwick Trust, a social enterprise promoting community-led energy projects, is playing a key advisory role. The organisation operates the UK’s largest community-owned windfarm, a £14 million development generating £900,000 annually for local projects.
With the tender submitted, Cowal Community Energy now awaits Forestry & Land Scotland’s decision. If successful, the project could set a powerful example for community-led renewable energy across Scotland and beyond.
