Two Scottish communities are set to take their first steps into independent green energy creation thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery Good Cause distributors.

Funding announced on Friday, which totals £1.1 million, will be shared between two projects focusing on harnessing renewable energy to provide regular income which in turn will be invested into new assets in each community.

The North Harris Trust (NHT) received £900,000 to support the purchase of a community wind farm. This marks a major step forward in the Trust's plans to site a wind farm on the island. Their renewable energy project will result in a 1.8MW community owned wind development on North Harris, generating income averaging £180,000 each year over 12 years.

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Calum Mackay, North Harris Trust, Chair welcomed the grant. He said: "The North Harris Trust is delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has awarded this generous grant towards its proposed community wind farm. This development will bring considerable benefit to the entire North Harris community in the years ahead."

In central Fife the Ore Valley Housing Association (OVHA) have been awarded a technical assistance grant of £200,000. This funding will allow the OVHA to fund a full technical breakdown and feasibility plan for a proposed medium scale wind farm near Cardenden, Fife.

The funding will also go towards ensuring a full community consultation about harnessing wind energy in this way.

Andrew Saunders, Chief Executive of the OVHA, said: "This funding allows us to take the first steps towards exploring community energy production on a medium scale. The grant means that we'll be able to look at the impacts and benefits of this kind of scheme in our community. Should we then be able to go ahead with the full project then the funding we could invest back into our community would be invaluable."

(JM)