Renewable Energy in Argyll and Bute
Interactive renewables map Renewable Energy Action Plan. Community Benefit Community Renewable Opportunities Portal ALIEnergy Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance Landscape wind energy capacity study
Argyll and Bute's abundance of wind, water and wave energy, and the energy potentially generated by biomass, present key sustainable economic opportunities, which if harnessed and managed correctly can offset many of the problems faced by our peripheral and fragile locations.
Argyll and Bute has a distinguished track record of pioneering and delivering renewable energy developments, including the first large scale Scottish windfarm, a pioneering approach to Community Windfarm Trust Funds, and proposals to develop one of the world's first tidal power array demonstration project in the Sound of Islay.
Argyll and Bute Council aim to promote the full range of renewable energy resources in our area, in a manner that promotes sustainable economic development and recognises the need for co-existence with other economic activities, our environment, and our communities. To achieve this we are developing partnerships with renewable energy companies to maximise the benefits for our communities.
The Tiree On-shore Scenario Mapping exercise was an example of work undertaken to seek to maximise opportunities in relation to potential future renewable developments.
Interactive Renewables Map
The Interactive Renewables Map allows you to access up to date information on renewable energy developments throughout Argyll and Bute and highlights our track record of innovation and commitment to this sector.
The Map links with our online planning application system, allowing you to search by renewable type, scale and status of development.
Our interactive renewables map, which shows you all the renewable energy developments in Argyll and Bute, by type (e.g. windfarms, hydro-electric, tidal, etc.), scale, status and for a specific location, and allows you to click on any sites you are interested in to find out more details about it.
Offshore activity information is provided by Marine Scotland and The Crown Estate. View the latest maps and GIS data from The Crown Estate here.
To find out how much renewable energy capacity Argyll and Bute has, view our most recent graph.
We want to ensure that maximum benefit is achieved for the communities of the area from future renewable energy developments. There are two ways that you can find out more about the Community Benefit Funds received by local communities:
Our interactive community benefit map allows you to search information on Community Benefit Funds received by local communities, by development, community benefit area and location.
Is our information out of date or do you have information on other renewable developments? Please contact renewable.energy@argyll-bute.gov.uk
If you are looking for some help using the interactive maps, you can download the LocalView Renewables Map user guide, which takes you through the different ways you can use the system to find the information you are looking for.
The Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance (ABRA)
The Argyll and Bute Renewable Energy Alliance (ABRA) brings together key public and private sector partners - including Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Marine Scotland, Scottish Power Renewables, Scottish and Southern Energy, The Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Skills Development Scotland - to ensure a greater awareness of all the issues relating to renewable development across Argyll and Bute, and to act as a key mechanism to assist with delivering the Renewable Energy Action Plan.
The first meeting of the Argyll and Bute Renewable Energy Alliance took place on 22nd March 2011. ABRA meets twice a year to discuss strategic issues associated with renewable energy within Argyll.
ABRA also promotes Argyll and Bute as a location for renewables at events such as All Energy.
For further information about ABRA email renewable.energy@argyll-bute.gov.uk.
ALIEnergy
Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) is promotes sustainable energy use and generation to the benefit of individuals, communities and the local economy, and to combat fuel poverty. If you would like more information on the work of the agency, please contact the ALIenergy office direct or visit the ALIEnergy website.
Landscape wind energy capacity study
Read the full report and appendices of the landscape wind energy capacity study, produced to develop the windfarm / wind turbine policies and associated spatial framework in the proposed local development plan.