TENANTS of a social housing charity in Argyll and Bute are being offered £130,000, which has been generated from profits from wind turbines, to help with the cost-of-living crisis.
Fyne Homes, which is based on the Isle of Bute, built a community windfarm on a hill overlooking the village of Glenbarr on the Kintyre Peninsula.
One of the conditions for the project involving three wind turbines, which is operated by subsidiary company Fyne Energy, was that any profit would be distributed across initiatives including investment into the local community, investment into Fyne Homes, and funding environmental sustainability project Fyne Futures.
In the first year profits have been distributed, Fyne Homes has announced its allocation means cost-of-living payments can be made to all 1600 tenants with the aim of assisting with heating homes.
Vouchers which are valid for one month – and can also be used for other costs such as food – will be sent directly to tenants during December, which can be redeemed at the Post Office.
James McMillan, chair of Fyne Homes Committee, said: “We know times are hard for many Fyne Homes tenants across Argyll and Bute just now.
“Supporting people through these challenging times is important to us and I’m pleased to announce these payments to Fyne Homes tenants to help with the cost of living.”
Fyne Homes chief executive Iona MacPhail added: “Fyne Homes are determined to do all we can to support our tenants.
“These payments will further enhance the support available to tenants from the association.”
The community windfarm project was only the second of its kind when unveiled in 2018 and the wind turbines have 6.9 megawatt output, which is enough to power 4000 homes.
The project was backed by the Scottish Government as part of a pilot scheme.
