The Arrochar & Tarbet and Luss & Arden Development Trusts worked alongside Community Energy specialists Energy4All, Local Energy Scotland and Luss Estates to develop this project.
The Arrochar Community Hydro scheme was initially proposed by Luss Estates as a means to enable local Development Trusts to generate income to reinvest in their communities. The river and surrounding land on which the scheme is built is leased for a peppercorn rent by Luss Estates to Arrochar Community Hydro.
The Arrochar CHS intends to distribute the profits from the project on an equal basis between the two development Trusts. Both trusts have Community Action Plans compiled through local consultation and working with their local Community Councils. The trusts aim to improve the quality of life for residents, especially the young and the elderly within their rural locations. A priority for both trusts is operating and maintaining community hall facilities that provide a social, cultural, recreational and educational hub for residents. Income from the hydro project would help to stabilise and sustain continued provision of this vital community asset and service.
Energy4All
Energy4All is a non-profit distributing social enterprise that promotes and facilitates community ownership of renewable energy in the UK. The basic idea is that new social enterprises will be established to undertake renewable energy projects, which will be controlled by their community and provided with technical expertise and management by Energy4All. Energy4All seeks to recover costs and provide for future development work from its fees. Any profits that arise are used by the company for the furtherance of its aims and objectives. Each new enterprise is paid for by the success of older enterprises, and it in turn supports the enterprises of the future.
To date, Energy4All has promoted twenty three Projects, including Arrochar CHS. Visit the Energy4All website for further information.
