Lundy Renewable Energy Project

Situated in the middle of the Bristol Channel, Lundy is not connected to the National Grid and relies totally on diesel generators to supply power and heating across the island. At present, we consume approximately 160,000 litres of fuel annually. Transportation from the mainland poses a risk to the Marine Protected Area whilst continual use of diesel contributes to pollution and carbon emissions. We’re committed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and to nurturing a cleaner, greener environment for our residents, visitors and wildlife alike. Any savings made from reducing our future fuel costs will be re-invested back into supporting the island.

We’re aiming to install a combination of solar, wind and battery storage.

Initial modelling shows that an optimal combination would include a 100 kW wind turbine, 400 kWp of solar power and a 1 MWh battery store.

There would still be a need for occasional diesel use on the Island, however introducing renewable energy and battery storage would reduce our current consumption by around 80-85%.

The outcome of our consultation and planning process will ultimately determine which technologies are installed along with specific locations. For maximum efficiency, we would expect infrastructure to be located as close as possible to the main control room on the island. If planning permission for wind is granted, we will aim to site the turbine on the site of our previous Aero Generator that featured on the island in the 1980s. If planning permission is granted for solar power, the most appropriate location identified is adjacent to the island’s existing water reservoir, in High Street Field, just to the north of the farm buildings.

The previous wind turbine on the island operated without recorded negative impacts on bird populations. To ensure this remains the case, we are conducting dedicated surveys to assess any potential risks, and we will have measures in place, such as temporary shutdowns during critical periods like the mid-summer breeding season.

As with specific bird surveys, we’re also carrying out surveys on bats and vegetation across the areas where renewable energy installations are being considered. This will identify any species or habitats that may be impacted by any proposed development.

The turbine will be small scale, especially when compared to other offshore turbines. We only need to install a turbine large enough for the island’s specific power needs as the island isn’t connected to the national grid. If the turbine is approved, alongside the battery and solar power, it will be in the region of 20M (approximately 65 ft) hub height from the ground.

We will be carrying out landscape and visual assessments to show how any turbine and solar array would look. Visual assessments will form part of the planning application process.

There are several islands around the UK that have developed similar renewable energy schemes to support local power needs (off grid energy). The projects on Eigg and Fair Isle are both similar to what we would like to achieve on Lundy and we’re modelling the Lundy scheme on these. Both islands previously relied on diesel generators to provide power, similar to how Lundy currently operates.

As with the wind turbine, we only need to produce enough power to meet the island’s needs as there is no other grid network to export to. The array will consist of a 400 kWp which will cover an area equal to that of a full-size football field. The current plan is to locate the array adjacent to the water tanks on the island, to the north of the farm buildings in High Street Field. We will be carrying out landscape and visual surveys to ensure any visual impacts are minimised and we'll select the most appropriate panels, taking into consideration ethical supply chains and efficiencies.

We aim to use noise data for the turbine, combined with background noise levels, to determine the most appropriate location on the Island, but we know from our previous turbine that wind itself is noisy on Lundy, and we don’t expect the noise from the turbine to be intrusive. When the background noise levels drop (with less wind), the turbine would be likely to be off.

We have looked at this as an option, however, given the limited deployment and lack of commercial availability to date around the British Isles, any ‘sea turbine’ would be prohibitively expensive at this smaller scale of energy demand. Lundy has been pioneering marine conservation in the UK for over 40 years: the waters around the island are a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and disturbance could present a risk to marine life.

We have looked at some costs and it would be prohibitively expensive to install a cable along the 12 miles of seabed from the mainland. This becomes commercially viable with large scale wind farms offshore generating large volumes of power, as these turbines are much larger and numerous.

Battery storage will help maintain a steady power supply, but a backup diesel generator will remain available for essential needs in case of prolonged low renewable generation.

Should planning approval not be granted, we will continue to explore alternative ways to improve energy sustainability on Lundy.