Wind Turbine generates cash for Gatehouse

“The wind turbine at Rainton is now generating energy for Cream o’ Galloway and cash for Gatehouse. That is good news for our community and good news for Cream o’ Galloway” said Gatehouse Development Chairman David Steel, as he was handed a cheque for £2400 by Cream o’ Galloway director David Finlay.

The Gatehouse Development Initiative has secured grants of over £100,000 from Leader+ and The Energy Saving Trust to build the community wind turbine at Rainton in partnership with Cream o’ Galloway. “This partnership allows Cream o’ Galloway, which has an excellent reputation for its organic products to enhance its environmentally friendly status by using an alternative energy source in the production of its high quality dairy products. Cream o’ Galloway also administers the project and, in return the Gatehouse Development Initiative is paid at a commercial rate for each kilowatt of energy produced”

Speaking at Rainton Mr Finlay said ”We are delighted to be able to contribute to our local community’s development fund through the purchase of the electricity from their wind turbine. Visitors to Cream o’ Galloway have been very positive about this project and so everyone is benefiting“.

In its quest to achieve a sustainable community the Gatehouse Development Initiative is already raising small sums through activities such as publications and promoting holiday accommodation on the Gatehouse web site. The cash injection form the turbine will help to build up funds, which can then be invested in long term projects to benefit the local community.