Welcome to the Soirbheas Website!

In March 2007 residents of Glenurquhart and Strathglass were invited to a public meeting to discuss the creation of a five turbine wind farm at Corrimony. Many communities now benefit financially from wind farms in their areas, but most are run by a large companies who pay an annual sum to the community or a lump sum when the project begins. This project is different in that it is one of the first joint ventures where a community has the opportunity to own its own turbine, and the money generated from this would go directly to that community.

Following further consultation and discussion between interested parties, a steering group was set up and eventually a community owned company, Soirbheas was formed to promote the interests of the communities.

Soirbheas is the Community Company formed to take the project forward. It plans to own one of the five wind turbines on the site at Corrimony and use the income from the sale of energy from the wind turbine to provide funds to support community life in the Glens.

As a 20% stakeholder in the project Soirbheas needs to raise money towards the project. Once funds are raised and the balance of bank lending is approved, Soirbheas will manage the income for the long term benefit of both communities.

The Company

Membership of Soirbheas is open to all. We operate within the community council areas of Strathglass and Glen Urquhart - Cannich to Drumadrochit and beyond. We hold meetings regularly in the Balnain Hall which are open to all members. If you have an interest in becoming a director at the next election, contact us now. If you want to pledge money or offer in kind support we are keen to hear from you too. The greater our own cash investment is in the windfarm, the greater will be the return to both our communities.

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Glenurquhart and Strathglass Wind Energy Project

Soirbheas is to be a partner with the Girvan family in the development of a five turbine windfarm at Corrimony. One of the 2MW wind turbines will be owned exclusively by the communities of Glen Urquhart & Strathglass.

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The Community

A responsible, empowered community will have the opportunity to earn money for at least 25 years from a renewable energy resource and ensure that community organisations can flourish. Our community provision will increase and the area will be a resilient, attractive and responsible place to live and work.

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