Wood Fuel
We are now supplying seasoned soft wood logs. Wood is a valuble heating resource with a very low carbon output and of course it’s truely renewable. We are selling logs in M3 volume loads, half loads and bags. At present our wood is for ‘collection only’ from the forest site. We hope to have a delivery service available sometime in the future. In the mean time there are staff on site everyday and they will be more thn happy to help with loading of logs into vehicles. If anyone is interested in receiving wood fuel from KCF please contact the site office on 01700 811109 or alternatively e-mail us to info@kilfinancommunityforest.com.
Hydro Scheme
Highland Eco Design Ltd is currently carrying out a feasibility study to determine whether our forest is suitable for a small scale hydro installation. They are looking at harnessing the water of the Allt Mor Burn to generate electricity. Although not a large scale operation it will allow Kilfinan Community Forest to offset their current electricity use from the site offices and workshops with any surplus being exported to the grid.
The study is now in it’s second phase and MNV Consultants have been brought on board to help with the flow gauging monitoring. The feasibility study should be completed by the Spring and if all looks well we can look at financing a small hydro installation, which will be very exciting.
Community Wind Turbine
We are looking into the viability of one community owned wind turbine at Achacrossan Forest. The idea is still in very early stages but a feasibility study has identified a possible site for a turbine. But before we can proceed we need to see if the area has enough wind speed to determine if the scheme is viable. This is achieved by erecting a meteorological mast on the site and recording data for a 12-18 month period after which the mast will be taken down. KCFC is has received planning permission for a 60m mast which be erected by Chilwind Ltd at the beginning of March.
The purpose of a community owned turbine is to generate electricity and sell this electricity to the National Grid and use said profits to finance infrastructure in the forest and in the wider parish of Kilfinan. The other main benefits of a community owned turbine is that the community have ownership (as opposed to a private company or one of the main utilities providers) and thus have a say in what size of turbine is erected, any environmental concerns, how it is financed and how profits are distributed etc. At a community consultation meeting at the Kames Recreational Hall on 21st September 2011 the issue of a planning application for a meteorological mast was raised and the application was given unanimous support. Further community consultations will be held later this year and in 2013.
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