This portfolio of hydroelectric projects, all in the Highlands of Scotland is a joint venture between the Highland Community Energy Society and a Company called Coille Dhealain, owned by Highland Eco Design (HECO) employees and based in Perthshire. The portfolio consists of six hydro sites, each a separate company where the local community at each location will benefit from the profit generated by the projects.
The Highland Community Energy Society typically hold 25.1% of the share capital in each project company, with the exception of the Kinlochbervie project which is wholly owned by the community. Dividends from the Society’s shareholdings in the project companies will be paid to the Society.
The Society launched a public offer in 2018 and successfully raised over £900,000 which was used to finance the first two hydro sites, Allt Dearg and Allt An Laghain. The second share offer raised £450,000 in 2020 which was used to take up the Stakes in Achlain and Littleton Burn. This share offer was re-opened later in 2020, raising another £229,000 to acquire the stake in Feorline.
For the latest project, Kinlochbervie hydro, HECO invited Energy4All to explore the possibility of developing Kinlochbervie as a fully community-owned project. A third share offer was launched in early 2021 and raised £707,000, funding the construction of the hydro project just past Rhiconiche, near Kinlochbervie. The project was commissioned in 2022.