MORE than 30 homes on Great Cumbrae are being fitted with solar panels and battery storage systems through the benefits of a North Ayrshire Council partnership project.
The Millport Solar PV and Battery Project is a community-led, phased programme aimed at reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty and building local energy resilience.
It is part of the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) Project, which is a Scottish Government programme supporting six islands with the aim of demonstrating the climate-resilience and low carbon potential of islands.
The latest phase alone is expected to mitigate approximately 24 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in its first year, contributing to the island’s decarbonisation goals as well as financial savings of over £20,000.
The link-up, managed by the council’s energy and sustainability team, is locally led by Carbon Neutral Cumbrae and supported by Scottish Government Islands Programme funding.
Installation works have been carried out by energy services company Union Technical, who completed 31 installations during the latest phase.
Councillors Alan Hill and Eleanor Collier visited Millport to celebrate the progression of energy resilience on the island and see first-hand its impact.
Cllr Collier, cabinet member for green environment, said: “There are many benefits to Millport Solar PV and Battery Project. It will produce clean energy, help islanders to cut their energy bills and drive the local effort to cut residents’ carbon footprint.”
The systems installed are equipped with an emergency back-up power supply, providing continued access to essential electricity during outages.
Cllr Hill, cabinet member for communities, housing and islands, added: “I am delighted that we have been working in partnership with Carbon Neutral Islands project and I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their ongoing work.”
As a community benefit, Union Technical has gifted a defibrillator to Millport Community Fire Station that will serve more than 300 households.
Defibrillators were originally installed following the passing of Colin McCuaig – known as Coldo – when his partner Jane and local firefighter Stewart Cape spearheaded a fundraising campaign in his memory.
Scott Watson, Carbon Neutral Cumbrae’s community development officer, has worked closely with residents and Union Technical ensuring positive outcomes and satisfaction within the local community.
He said: “We are delighted to have been working with the council and Union Technical on the latest phase of this partnership project.
“Their contribution of a defibrillator, which replaced the dated public unit at Millport Community Fire Station, alongside the care and time taken to work with local residents and their engagement with the wider community, will have a lasting and positive impact on Cumbrae well beyond these installations.”
Since the CNI project started locally in January 2023, Cumbrae has seen a 632 per cent increase in the total generating capacity from rooftop solar PV, saving over £100,000 annually in combined energy bills and mitigating an estimated 123 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
This is helping the community to be well on its way towards the local target of one megawatt of rooftop solar PV by 2030.
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