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 employees and based in Perthshire. The portfolio will consist of up to six hydro sites at various stages of development, 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 will typically hold 25.1% of the share capital in each project company. Dividends from the Society’s shareholdings in the project companies will be paid to the Society. Virtually all of the capital raised in the share offers will be loaned to the project companies as the share capital is nominal.
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.
The latest public share offer was launched in early 2021 to raise £707,000 to fund the construction of a hydro project just past Rhiconiche, near Kinlochbervie. This project is now fully commissioned and generating power.