Machrihanish Airbase Community Company has been successful in its recent application for a local energy project start-up Grant.
The company has been awarded £9,400 by the Local Energy Scotland-led CARES scheme to carry out a pre-feasibility study which will examine all forms of renewable power.
SgurrEnergy, a leading renewable energy consultancy, has been appointed to advise on the project following a competitive tendering process. Providing consultancy services in onshore and offshore wind, solar, wave and tidal and hydro projects, SgurrEnergy’s final report will identify the best options available to MACC in maximising the renewable potential on the site of the former RAF base at Machrihanish which, as a community company, it owns.
Theis good news follows in the wake of MACC’s narrow missing out on the Local Energy Challenge Fund in March 2015.
MACC Chairman, Tom Millar says: ‘Huge potential for renewable development lies in the infrastructure of our site. We have received a great deal of interest from industry leaders in solar, biomass and wind.
‘The award from Local Energy Scotland and the CARES grant will allow us to carefully consider the best course of action for the benefit of the site, our tenants and the wider community.’
SgurrEnergy’s community renewables manager, Fergus Tickell, says: ‘We are delighted to be working with MACC during the feasibility phase of this sustainability project. The introduction of renewable energy on this unique site will not only contribute to the community company’s economic and environmental objectives, but could also provide important benefits for the wider local community.’
There’s also the small matter of an ongoing bid to be the UK’s first spaceport – with every good reason why Campbeltown should be the front runner.
It has two problems facing its ambition on this project, both beyond its own sphere of influence.
The Scottish Government owns Campbeltown’s Scottish competitor, Prestwick airport and is , with its weighty influence, openly touting for that one
Both Campbeltown’s and Prestwick’s bids will be burdened by the heightened uncertainty as to whether there will still be a United Kingdom in five years time.
Note: The photograph above shows part of the Wind Towers Scotland base at Machrihanish. The company is one of MACC’s many tenants that would benefit from an onsite renewable energy supply.
