The investment at the Hope Hub in Blackwood has been delivered through South Lanarkshire Council’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF), which is funded by contributions from OnPath Energy via its Kype Muir and Middle Muir wind farms.  

The project includes approximately 40kW of rooftop solar panels alongside seven Powerwall battery systems, enabling the hub to store renewable electricity and use it more efficiently across the day and night.  

The installation was designed and delivered by local renewable energy specialist Gordon Muir, who led the project from initial design through to completion.  

He said: “We sized the system based on the building’s actual usage so the hub would effectively eliminate its electricity bills over the year. In summer it generates more than it uses and in winter the batteries help balance demand by storing cheaper off peak or surplus renewable energy from the grid.  

“The aim was to reduce both cost and carbon emissions while making the building as useful and accessible as possible for the community.”  

The system also supports wider sustainability goals for the building, with the hub now able to reduce reliance on gas heating by using stored renewable electricity where possible. Electric heaters are also being introduced in key rooms to make use of surplus energy when available.  

The Hope Hub Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) is a volunteer-led charity established to benefit the communities of Blackwood, Kirkmuirhill and surrounding Clydesdale villages. It provides flexible community space for local groups, events and wellbeing activities aimed at improving quality of life and strengthening community connections.  

Aileen McCreadie, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, added: “Community hubs like this are the heart of rural towns and villages, providing opportunities and support that might otherwise not exist.  

“The work being done at The Hope Hub shows the lasting impact that community-led projects can have, particularly when they focus on the future of an area.   

“By supporting this initiative, we are helping ensure that vital programmes continue to run, that people have safe and welcoming spaces to spend time together and that the organisation has the stability it needs to keep growing for generations to come.”  

Willie Moyes, a volunteer with The Hope Hub, said the funding marks an important step forward for the organisation. He commented: “This project makes a real difference to the long-term sustainability of the hub. It helps keep costs down for local groups, improves how efficiently we can run the building and supports our aim of making it a welcoming and affordable space for everyone in the community.”  

The Renewable Energy Fund is designed to support community-led projects that deliver long-term benefits, including environmental sustainability, rural wellbeing and improved community facilities.  

The funding for the Hope Hub project was delivered through a mix of wind farm community benefit funding and locally led development support administered by South Lanarkshire Council.  

The Hope Hub project builds on a strong track record of investment in community-led improvements across Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill through the Renewable Energy Fund. Since 2021, the hub and its volunteers have secured support for a range of initiatives designed to strengthen local wellbeing, accessibility and long-term sustainability.

Earlier grants included £14,282 towards the creation of a sensory garden in 2021, helping provide an inclusive outdoor space for residents, followed by £1,500 in 2023 for new audio-visual equipment to enhance community activities and events.

The latest £58,652 contribution towards the solar and battery installation represents the largest investment to date and reflects a continued commitment from OnPath Energy and South Lanarkshire Council to supporting the long-term future of The Hope Hub and the wider community.

The council’s head of enterprise and sustainable development, Alison Brown, said: “The Renewable Energy Fund is about creating long-term benefits for local communities, and this project is a strong example of that in action.  

“The funding for the Hope Hub will help ensure the building remains a vital community resource, supporting local people and strengthening opportunities for connection, wellbeing and activity across the area.”  

The system is already delivering strong performance, with early indications showing reduced energy costs and improved efficiency for the building. The installation is also expected to support further reductions in gas use over time as the hub optimises how it uses stored electricity.  

Community representatives say the project will also help ensure the hub remains financially sustainable.