RENEW Project

Support from the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) for the 2-year 'RENEW' Project ceased at the end of March, 2011. The Project has had many successes including:

• establishing a network of over 300 members

• supporting the installation of many renewable technologies and providing impartial information to numerous interested individuals

• creating a website with information on the six key renewable technologies and interactive map showing renewable locations in Lochaber

• carrying out and publishing a wide variety of Lochaber-based case studies in the website

• identifying Scottish-based, MCS-approved companies who have stated that they are willing to work in Lochaber and provide free quotes for householders

• producting a free booklet with details of the technologies, the payments available, local case studies and MCS-approved installer companies

• initiating a pilot project using 160 'OWL' home energy monitors with schools and members of the public

• attending local shows and organising home visits  

• hosting a 'Renewable Energy and Heat Fair' in Fort William that attracted 43 stands and over 1000 members of the public (see below):

   

A 'Renewable Energy and Heat Fair' was held in the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Saturday, 19th March 2011.

IT WAS FREE TO ALL AND ATTRACTED OVER 1000 VISITORS!

Many people in Lochaber have already decided to have a variety of renewable technologies installed in their homes or businesses. Reasons for doing this a usually a mix of: 

• Saving money by generating their own power, reducing bills and taking advantage of the Government's Feed-In-Tariff scheme that not only pays for power exported to the grid but also for all power generated even if it is used in the home.
• Take advantage of local resources such as ground heat, locally-produced biomass or the sun's energy (yes, even in Lochaber!) to produce renewable heat for water or space heating. This is due to be supported by the Government's Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, details of which should be announced shortly with payments currently due to start in June, 2011. The Government's 2010 Spending Review allocated £860M for this scheme so the benefits should be significant.
• Reducing their carbon footprint and do their bit to minimise the impact of climate change.
• Reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, whose future availability and price is uncertain with 'peak oil' not far around the corner.

However, there are many more Lochaber residents who are not aware of the possibilities of renewable energy technologies and the support available to help reduce heating and electricity bills. Many found the time to come to the Fair and discovered some helpful information from the 32 renewable energy, heating and insulation companies and 14 community groups / energy charities / govt. representatives who had stands, and a series of 6 workshops throughout the day.

People who have already had various renewable technologies installed in their house or business also came along and sat at one of the six 'renewable tables' in the middle of the hall and were available for informal chats with anyone who was interested in their renewable experience. Real experiences, from real local people with no agenda.

Folk came to find out about how the technologies work, what support is available and what local people's experiences have been. Those who were interested in installing one of the technologies had a chance to meet some of the companies who work in Lochaber, talk about your requirements and, if they wanted one, obtain a quote.

Companies: