Windflow eyes Outer Hebrides for project

Photo / APN

Windflow Technology says it is working with the North Harris Trust to investigate the feasibility of a wind project on a small Scottish island.

Windflow, listed on the NZX, manufactures the Windflow 500 turbine designed for strong, turbulent winds and said that if the project went ahead the stake it held would be decided later, "as other parties may become involved as the project progresses".

The North Harris Trust is a registered charity, established in 2003, to manage the North Harris Estate when it was bought by the local community on Lewis and Harris, 400km northwest of Glasgow in Scotland's Outer Hebrides islands.

The trust for the windy Scottish island said last month it was seeking planning permission for large three-bladed Evance 9000 turbines, but Windflow said the islanders had not, so far, sourced suitable turbines.

It was now looking at the potential use of up to three Windflow 500KW turbines, which would be smaller and have a lower environmental impact than the initial proposal, said the New Zealand company. Its own two-blade turbine "particularly suits the robust turbulent conditions at the site".

North Harris Trading chairman David Cameron said Windflow had the ideal turbine for the site and working with its staff in Scotland would let the community take a new look at generating their own energy.

Windflow has over 80 turbines in New Zealand in very windy and turbulent conditions, and has established operations in Britain with two fulltime staff working closely with its UK distributor VG Energy.

- NZPA