This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Small projects reflect big future for renewables
16/05/2006
The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) has been awarded an extra £3 million to help support small-scale clean energy developments such as solar panels and roof-top wind turbines.
The money increases the annual SCHRI funding for the next two years by 60 per cent, up from £2.2m to £3.7m per annum.
The announcement was made by Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen at the New Lanark World Heritage Site where e opened an innovative water sourced heat pump which had been funded by the scheme.
Mr Stephen said:
"People across Scotland are showing a real appetite for small-scale renewables developments in their homes and communities.
"Wind turbines on top of houses are an increasingly common sight, while schemes like wood-fired boilers and solar panels are also becoming popular.
"As part of our drive to harness clean, green energy in Scotland, I want to ensure there is enough funding support in place to help these developments continue.
"SCHRI has been a great success since it began in 2002. We have already committed £12.75m support, helping more than 600 individual and community projects right across Scotland
"Demand for SCHRI funding has grown steadily, and there is huge grass roots interest in powering homes and communities through local renewable energy projects.
"That is why we are investing a further £3 million in SCHRI today, which will take the scheme up to 2008. I want to see Scotland take its place as the renewables powerhouse of Europe.
"Smaller microrenewables developments have a big role to play in that goal and we are determined to all we can to help support this drive."
The water sourced heat pump at New Lanark received £74,700 from the SCHRI in 2004. It provides space and water heating for part of the tourist facility.
SCHRI has been running since 2002 and has received £12.75 million to date - including a £250,000 'top-up' in 2005. It has funded more than 600 projects across Scotland.
SCHRI is run by the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company. Householders can receive up to 30 per cent of the total cost of their project up to a limit of £4,000.
Community schemes can receive a maximum grant of £10,000 for a feasibility study and a maximum grant of £100,000 for a capital project.