Community wind farm does it again, adding to the haul of awards.

The social enterprise, which runs the UK’s biggest community-owned wind farm at Beinn Ghrideag just outside Stornoway, beat Westray Development Trust and BroomPower to be named ‘Best Community Energy Project’ at the event which was hosted from the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness with nominees taking part virtually.

Giving the judging panel’s feedback about why they chose Point and Sandwick Trust, event host Nicky Marr said it had been “a really strong category… in which it was hard to choose between the three”. But what stood out for the judges was “the way Point and Sandwick Trust was using the proceeds of a renewables project to help the entire community in difficult times”.

The judges had added: “In addition to supporting many aspects of life in the community during the pandemic, they have redirected funds to support the NHS, leading the way into a green recovery.”

Point and Sandwick Trust’s general manager Donald John MacSween paid tribute to the volunteers who had come forward to help when the wind farm launched its free meals and grocery delivery service, to support the isolated and vulnerable, at the start of the pandemic last year.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the community response” he said.