Foula is one of the most remote islands in the United Kingdom, approximately 32kms from the west coast of the Shetland Islands.

The island is not connected to any mainland electricity grid system but, in 1987, a community electricity scheme was constructed comprising a 3kV island grid which linked diesel generators, a wind turbine and a hydroelectricity scheme to the island’s 18 homes. This scheme has gradually fallen into disrepair and is in need of complete refurbishment or replacement.

Halcrow’s business solutions team was engaged by the Foula Community Electricity Trust in April 2004 to prepare tender documentation including an outline design and technical specification for the provision of a new power supply system incorporating photovoltaic cells, hydroelectric turbines and back-up diesel generators and a control and automation system. A second phase of works will include the provision of five wind turbines placed strategically to capture Foula’s infamous gusts of wind.

The combination of wind, sun and water energy is designed to increase the power allocation for each house from 1kW to 4kW. This will be equivalent to the power allocation for houses situated on the mainland. As a result of this scheme, the island’s 32 residents can look forward to a modern, renewable, energy-efficient power generation system, operating 24-hours per day.