Helping community groups cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions
Community groups that want to install renewable energy projects and decarbonise their buildings will be able to access additional Scottish Government support this year.
Funding available from the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) will increase to £15 million this year, meaning more groups will be able to develop their own renewable energy projects such as onshore wind and solar, and cut the energy bills for their buildings by installing heat pumps and solar panels.
CARES has already delivered more than £83 million to communities across Scotland, supporting more than 1,200 projects and 75 Megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity.
The increase was announced by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a visit to Scalpay Community Centre in the Western Isles, which received CARES funding previously to install a heat pump, solar pv and battery storage.
Mr Swinney said: “We are moving beyond the idea of communities as passive hosts of energy infrastructure. Our approach supports them to become active partners by helping them to invest in, own and benefit from the clean energy future.
“That is why we are increasing the funding available from CARES to £15 million each year. More than 1,000 groups have already benefitted, empowering them to generate their own clean energy through local solutions, not only cutting emissions but also reducing costs and creating resilient communities.
“I would encourage organisations who have not already applied to check what support they may be eligible for.”
Gordon Ness, Chair of Scalpay Community Association said: “CARES funding has been instrumental in helping Scalpay Community Association SCIO transform our Community Centre into a more energy-efficient, sustainable and welcoming facility for everyone in our community.
“The support has enabled us to reduce our environmental impact while creating a warm, accessible space that will benefit local people for many years to come.
“Continued investment in CARES gives communities like ours the confidence to develop ambitious local projects that strengthen resilience, reduce carbon emissions and help secure a sustainable future for Scotland’s islands.”
CARES provides advice and funding, via grants and loans, to communities looking to develop renewable energy, heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects. It is administered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Scottish Government funding will be complemented by £2 million per year from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The Scottish Government wants communities to benefit from the opportunities presented by renewable technologies, and make the best use of the land and assets Scotland already has.
To deliver that, the Scottish Government will refresh guidance for public bodies to remind them of the ways they can help community groups to deliver renewable projects on public land and encourage them to make land and buildings available for such projects.
The Scottish Government is also assessing the potential for deploying solar technology in underused spaces, so that even more of Scotland’s land and infrastructure can contribute to our energy ambitions.
