Powersystems update on the BBC documentary ‘one day that changed my life’
Lights, Camera and Action – ‘One Day That Changed My Life BBC 1 Programme Thursday 4 July at 11:00am
Each of us will have experienced a day that changed the course of our lives – dramatic moments that can send lives in one of any two directions.
In the documentary ‘one day that changed my life’, the BBC capture those extraordinary moments. From medical results to business decisions, creating a family to saving communities, those crossroads moments when everything changes.
With four stories in each episode, they show the run up to real life results moments, culminating on one day that delivers intimate decisions that reflect the audiences lives back to them.
On Thursday 4 July at 11:00am, this week’s episode features cameo performances from Powersystems, Phil Chespy, Electrical Senior Authorised Person and Arran Watkins, Electrical Project Engineer – energising the Auchadaduie Wind Farm project .
The BBC 1 documentary ‘one day that changed my life’ was filmed during the energisation period of the Auchadaduie wind farm project.
The programme is focussed on a person going through a life changing moment, which in this case was the customer for the Auchadaduie Wind Farm project.
The filming took place over the course of 3 days. Arran Watkins, Phil Chespy and the Powersystems team were onsite carrying out all the necessary testing and works required to allow the energisation.
The Powersystems team talked through the work being undertaken and relayed to the film crew technical aspect of the works.
After a few days of dress rehearsal, make-up, script reviews, pieces to camera – it was lights, camera, action! Powersystems energised the windfarm. This entailed; completing the very low frequency test, pre-energisation inspections and finally energisation of the turbines.
The BBC were interested in the technical aspects of the project asking for a general overview of how the site was connected and what test/works where required to allow it to be energised.
About the Auchadaduie Wind Farm Project
The wind farm development has started producing energy estimated to generate £15.6 million of community and charitable benefit over the next 20 years.
After 11 years of planning and development, plus construction over the past year, Fyne Energy’s Director Colin Renfrew welcomed Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse to its Auchadaduie turbine development on the Kintyre Peninsula.
The minister also met members of the local community and those involved in supporting the development.
The project was born from the belief that communities in Scotland could and should be able to generate income for community benefit from renewables as was initiated by Fyne Homes and the Fyne Group.
The Scottish Government has supported the project as one of several pilots to enable housing associations to develop renewable projects to generate income for reinvestment in affordable housing and community priorities.
The wind energy project has been realised with £10.80 million investment from Triodos Bank, the UK’s leading sustainable bank and £2.82 million from REIF.
Colin Renfrew, Chief Executive at Fyne Homes and Fyne Energy Director said: “The Fyne Group is delighted that the three turbines are now producing energy, providing a long-term income that will enable the Fyne Group and the Glenbarr Community Development Association to reinvest in our charitable objectives for social housing, local employment sustainability, and local priorities.”
Fyne Energy’s three turbines are anticipated to generate an average of £750,000 community benefit income per annum. The community benefit funding will be distributed equally to three community initiatives:
- one third will support social housing charitable objectives led by Fyne Homes;
- one third will support charitable employability and environmental priorities led by Fyne Futures
- one third will be invested in local priorities.
Glenbarr residents have recently established their own Community Development Association and undertaken outreach work across the area to identify priorities for the local investment.
The Community Investment Plan includes support for developing woodlands and environmental projects and employment opportunities. The need for investment in local community facilities was also highlighted, including community meeting space, play facilities, road safety and transport provision.
Norrie Cruickshank, Relationship Manager at Triodos Bank, said: “Fyne Energy’s three turbines will generate income to tackle two pressing issues at the same time – affordable housing and clean energy.“ At Triodos, we work to make sure organisations like Fyne get the funding and financial support they need to have a positive impact on the local community. It’s the determination and innovative thinking of everyone at Fyne Homes that will help create a better world for us all.”
Community Renewables can, and have, made a significant impact in communities across Scotland, such as West Harris, Gigha and Tiree, with reinvestment in local infrastructure and a range of community benefits.
This project offers an opportunity to generate significant income for reinvestment in community benefits across Argyll and Bute, tackling some of the priority issues for the area such as depopulation through provision of affordable housing and local employment opportunities.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse added: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support the Fyne Homes project through our flagship Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), delivered on our behalf by Local Energy Scotland.
“Community benefit is a valuable source of income for local communities located near renewable developments, and it is fantastic that this project will generate significant benefits for Argyll and Bute residents for many years to come, while also providing new revenue to support Fyne Homes’ investment programme to meet local housing priorities.”
From Turbine 1 at Auchadaduie you can look across to see the four dancing ladies on the Isle of Gigha, wind turbines which generate income for reinvestment in the island’s housing. Alan Hobbett, previously of Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, encouraged Fyne Homes to consider renewable developments as an income generator for housing. The project has been developed by Fyne Futures, with support from Fyne Homes, the parent company which established Fyne Energy which owns and operate the turbines.
Notes to Editors:
Contact Information:
- This article is written by Jules Daly, Marketing and Communications Manager at Powersystems UK.
- Email jules.daly@powersystemsuk.com Telephone 01454 318000
- Photography Copyright please credit all images used to powersystemsuk.co.uk
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As a high voltage specialist electrical engineering company with over 45 years (1977-2022) experience Powersystems have grown by reputation to become a trusted force in the design, installation and commissioning of electrical infrastructure across the UK.
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Since 2000, Powersystems have connected over 6 Gigawatts of renewable energy generation to the UK electricity grid, along with decarbonisation technology which includes; wind energy projects, solar, anaerobic digestion, hydroelectric, electrical vehicle infrastructure, short term operating reserve STOR, combined heat and power (CHP), Grid stability projects like rotating stabilisers, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as well as commercial industrial private wire networks.
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