OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2015. An innovative energy project that will explore the possibility of developing a system for supplying electricity from renewable sources straight to local consumers in rural areas is planned for the Isle of Mull. 

Project ACCESS (Assisting Communities to Connect to Electrical Sustainable Sources) is a cost-effective project which will enable the real time matching of local renewable electricity generation to local electricity demand in off-gas-grid properties.

Part funded through the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Challenge Fund and valued at just over ?2 million, Project ACCESS aims to drive the development of financially viable grid connections for small scale generators in transmission constrained areas of the Scottish networks.

Project ACCESS will be delivered by a multidisciplinary consortium made up of SSE, Community Energy Scotland, Element Energy, VCharge, and Mull and Iona Community Trust. It is one of five projects being trialled by Local Energy Challenge Fund throughout Scotland.

Jim McPhillimy, Managing Director, SSE Enterprise, said:

“We have a history at SSE of looking for ways to deliver affordable, sustainable solutions for our customers. Although Project ACCESS is just a trial at this stage we’re hopeful it will grow into something which will secure supply for rural communities in the longer term.

“If successful, this innovative project could lead to a rethinking of how energy is delivered in rural communities throughout Scotland. We’re hoping this concept will soon be available to all communities in grid constrained areas.”

Felix Wight, Head of Development at Community Energy Scotland: “Community Energy Scotland are delighted to be working with SSE and the other partners in the delivery of this ground breaking project. There is a huge appetite amongst Scottish communities to generate their own clean energy, and supply it to local homes and businesses. We are very hopeful that ACCESS will give communities the tools to open that door to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

When announcing the funding agreements, Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism said:

“The Scottish Government is defining a distinctive approach to Scotland’s future energy provision; putting communities at the heart of decisions about their local energy system; and empowering them to take an economic stake in new developments. 

“These projects are a huge step towards defining a distinctive approach to Scotland’s future energy provision. They will provide vital learning across extremely challenging areas, such as adding value to local economies, matching local supply and demand, and addressing fuel poverty. 

“But we know this is just the beginning, and we want to support more innovations like these. This is why the Scottish Government will run a second Challenge Fund, subject to the next spending round, making up to ?500,000 available in 2015/2016.”

Project ACCESS is looking to recruit up to 100 householders and two small businesses to participate in the field trial on the Isle of Mull.