In common with most people today, Fetlar's residents are concerned by ever-rising energy costs and the effects of global warming. With this in mind, organisations in Fetlar have already begun to take steps to to reduce their use of imported energy, and also to reduce their energy bills. A lot of inspiration for our projects has come from our friends on the Island of Eigg, who are at the forefront in pioneering Eco friendly projects and who have won a number of major awards for their efforts. 

Zoom imageFetlar Community Hall and wind turbine The Fetlar Community Association (which is responsible for the community hall) has already installed a 6kw Wind turbine to reduce both heating costs and their carbon footprin. The Fetlar Museum Trust (which operates the Fetlar Interpretive Centre) are in the process of installing a similar turbine.

As part of our Community Development plan, a number of other helpful measures have been identified, and many are already being pursued. Examples include:

Reducing Household Energy Consumption

In partnership with the Energy Saving Trust we are aiming to start a project to help people reduce energy consumption in their homes. Energy Saving Trust officers will conduct home visits to complete an initial energy audit and offer advice on energy saving measures. They will also highlight schemes which give householders help with the costs of upgrading insulation and heating systems as well as installation of heat pumps and renewables.

Electric Minibus

On the transport side, the Community hopes to secure funding to purchase an electric minibus which would be charged by a linked wind turbine. Excess energy would be used to provide heating for the local Primary School and Nursery. The income from the energy generated by the turbine should be sufficient to cover operating costs and a replacement for the current vehicle. This vehicle we hope will provide a much better solution to the transport needs of islanders and, potentially, would replace up to two diesel powered vehicles

Reducing Food Miles

Zoom imageKenny Ritchie with his beans A number of people on the island already grow there own food, but not everyone has suitable space or in some cases any land. The Community is currently looking into a scheme to provide both outdoor and indoor areas for growing. This will have the effect of ensuring that all members of the Community have access to a place where they can grow there own and ensure their family has regular supplies of high quality fresh fruit and vegetables, while also reducing a significant number of "food miles". In conjunction with this project it is planned to introduce a community composting scheme to recycle as much food waste as possible.