Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 24 September 2001 For Use: Immediately

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Gotland - An Example In Windpower

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar representatives have returned from the Windpower on Islands Conference in Gotland, Sweden, an event where lessons on how to make progress in this field were clearly illustrated. The Comhairle and community partners now have the opportunity to apply this experience in the drive to establish the isles as an Energy Innovation Zone.

Gotland, an island with a population of 55,000, lies in the middle of the Baltic sea and through local initiatives now generates 15% of its large energy demand from windpower, using some 140 wind turbines.

The conference, with around 80 delegates, provided an opportunity to exchange experiences from many European islands and to map out the way forward for windpower in island communities - both from a technical and sustainable development viewpoint.

Councillor Donald I Nicholson on return from Sweden, said: "the conference and study tour was a fruitful three days. Not only did I learn about the technical operation of wind turbines on land and offshore, I listened to approaches that we must pick up on in the Energy Innovation Zone initiative. It was clear to me that political will is crucial along with involving the community at all levels. And I am very keen to promote community ownership of wind turbines as seen on Gotland. I can see no reason why larger communities in the Western Isles could not own their own turbines and benefit from them".

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer