An onshore wind project in the Outer Hebrides has started to generate power as turbines are constructed on North Uist.
Operator UistWind said the second turbine is now up after early problems with its concrete base, which meant the foundation had to be rebuilt.
The first turbine to go up is now generating electricity.
It was fully commissioned and exported power to the Grid for the first time this month.
UistWind is a community project to erect two 900 kilowatt (kW) turbines in North Uist, at Criongrabhal near Clachan-na-Luib. The wind farm is due to be operational by October this year.
A North Uist Development Company project, the wind farm aims to generate more than £2 million over the project’s lifetime of 22 years – with the profits going to the community via NUDC’s charitable activities.
Dr Ameena Camps, project delivery manager with North Uist Development Company, said: “I cannot begin to explain how thrilled we are to see both turbines in place, and both will soon be generating electricity for the benefit of the community in the longer term.
“The operation of UistWind would not have been possible were it not for the willingness of the MoD and QinetiQ’s personnel to work with the community to identify and implement solutions that allow the wind farm to co-exist with their radar technology.”
Mustapha Hocine, chairman of North Uist Development Company, added: “We are very grateful for the strong working relationship that has been developed and look forward to working with the MoD and QinetiQ during the lifetime of UistWind.”
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