Coll, as one of the windiest places in Britain, could produce most of its power by building a wind driven generator.

This was one of the aspects considered by a team from Strathclyde University, who were asked by Strathclyde Regional Council to make an "energy balance" study of the island.

The researchers found that fuel was not very efficiently used on Coll. Coal is the major fuel, bought in bulk once a year. Although peat and driftwood are used to supplement the coal, much of this is burned wet and on inefficient open hearths. Only 13 per cent of the island's energy comes from electricity. Including petrol, over £90,000 is spent on energy on the island.

The report states that due to the large number of small households, more energy is used per person on Coll than on the mainland. Almost twice as much energy is used per household than the mainland average.

There was concern that greater use could be made of insulation. Although many houses had roof insulation, there were many other ways in which Coll houses could be made more economical to heat. But the survey found that many people did not know how to go about getting grant aid for insulation, available from the district council, and suggested that a science graduate should be employed using Manpower Services funds to work as an energy advice officer.

The wind on Coll could generate up to 30 per cent more electricity than in Orkney, and twice as much as in Denmark where over 300 turbines are in operation. A 22Kw wind machine could generate as much electricity as £2,000 worth of oil.

The report suggests that as a first step towards greater harnessing of wind power, a wind machine costing up to £15,000 could be installed to heat the school, which at present has a large annual propane bill. The island's only community hall has become largely unusable through age and wind damage, and if its replacement was situated near the school it could double as a school hall. This could also be heated from a small wind generator.....................

If a larger wind machine was built, it could provide power for resale to the Hydro Board or for a number of amenity houses for the elderly.

The report states: "Although the problems of relative poverty, high fuel costs and poor housing which is damp and draughty are by no means unique to Coll they are probably more significant in its decline than for example in Glasgow. Furthermore, in Glasgow a range of measures are underway to arrest economic, social and environmental decline. Little has so far been done in the remote islands.

"Recent research has suggested that energy is or could soon become one of the major sources of salvation for remote and declining island communities in Britain. This study has demonstrated the validity of this suggestion. If implemented, the recommendations of the report could have a major effect on all aspects of island life."