Electric cars re-charged using renewable energy could be the way forward for the Island of Cumbrae.

That was the possibility raised by the Scottish Islands Federation forum when it held its annual meeting at the Garrison in Millport recently.

With the ongoing problem concerning the lack of a fuel supply on Cumbrae, Camille Dressler, secretary of the Scottish Islands Federation, told the ‘News’ that Millport could follow the lead of Fetlar in the Shetlands.

Camille Dressler said: “The Island of Fetlar has a community mini bus which runs off the electric supply. We think it is best if islands have their own sources of renewable power - it would be very handy for electric vehicles to re-charge for a start. If you have an issue with the lack of a fuel supply, then you can use the turbines as an energy source, then why not?” Given weather problems which has resulted in long power cuts lasting for days on islands, including a four day blackout on Cumbrae in recent years, renewable energy would be a sensible way forward for most islands, including Cumbrae, to generate their own power.

“Using renewable power locally is the most sensible thing,” Camille said, “and you can even use the power for electric vehicles, or even a housing scheme. The Borders have put together their own renewable energy system giving them a local grid for them to power themselves and make money out of it. We are living in an interesting time, and there are a lot of interesting solutions by The Community Energy Scotland project.” Community Energy Scotland is a registered charity that provides practical help for communities on green energy development and energy conservation.

Like in Cumbrae, Fetlar does not have a fuel station and islanders have to travel off the island for fuel, and also in parallel to Millport, their development company has investigated the provision of a filling station, but this was shown to be unviable.

Camille, who is a director of the Isle of Eigg Craft Shop, explained that as electrical power is cheaper than petrol or diesel, the operating cost reductions would help offset the higher capital costs as well as lowering CO2 emissions.

The Scottish Island Federation aims to promote, publicise and advance the interests of Scotland’s islands, and ensure community and voluntary groups have a voice and are well represented within the federation.

They work with councils, agencies and the Scottish Government to ensure that island needs are well understood.

For more details, go to www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk