Eigg wins green award

July 2nd 2010

The island of Eigg has been given an award for energy efficiency and its efforts to cut carbon emissions.

Residents of the island – which lies just off the coast of Scotland – obtain 90 per cent of their electricity supply from a combination of hydro, solar and wind power.

However, if their usage exceeds five kilowatts for homes and ten kilowatts for businesses the electricity supply is tripped, which ensures that the islanders stay within low limits.

They have now been awarded the overall UK gold Ashden award for energy efficiency, after slashing their energy use by some 47 per cent across homes and businesses.

Furthermore, the residents are alerted at times of low renewable energy supply a unique 'traffic light' system, which also provides a reduction of around twenty per cent.

Lucy Conway, chair of Eigg's green team, said: "We're not saying everyone has to create a renewable energy grid or do a complete eco-renovation job on their home.

"But as a small group of people - whether it's an apartment block, a street, or an office - can identify what it is they are trying to achieve, do it, and celebrate it together."