Community-owned energy projects in Scotland can now apply for funding from the Community Energy Generation Fund
A fund to support communities across Scotland set up renewable energy generation projects has reopened today, with a total of £8m available.
Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash
The Community Energy Generation Fund is part of the Scottish government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), which has already advised more than 1,300 organisations and provided in excess of £67m to support more than 990 local projects. Those range from community-led onshore wind to rooftop solar and river-based hydropower.
The expanded fund reopened today includes £4 from Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company established earlier this year by the UK government in part to provide communities across the country with a stake in generating their own energy. Profits from such initiatives can then be reinvested in the community, helping to fund further activities and / or to cut local residents’ energy bills.
- For more information, including how to apply, see the Community Energy Generation Growth Fund page on the Local Energy Scotland website.
Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, says: ‘Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition. This funding, for stand-alone generation projects, responds to the needs of local groups – has the potential to lever in significant funds for communities. It will also play a key role in our delivery of a just transition – supporting a greener, fairer future for Scots.
‘It is also welcome that Great British Energy recognise the valuable role that communities play in our green transition and have provided support for the fund – helping to significantly increase the amount of support available to communities – and providing a catalyst for growth within the community energy sector. We will continue to work with our partners to grow the community energy sector to ensure that the delivery of renewable energy comes with benefits for people in Scotland, as well as supporting progress towards net zero.’
Michael Shanks MP, Minister for Energy in the UK government, adds: ‘This is our clean energy superpower mission in action – putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation and making sure people profit.
‘Great British Energy wants to kickstart a community energy revolution, empowering our towns and villages to become mini energy producers and reinvest profits back into the local community.’
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