The Scottish Government wishes to maximise the benefits for communities from renewable energy. We believe that there is so much more a community can gain from renewables projects, over and above financial benefits. For example: increased community cohesion and confidence, skills development and supporting local economic regeneration.
The Scottish Government's Community Renewable Energy Toolkit aims to encourage and help communities considering how they can lead their own renewable energy projects. It contains information, advice, details of possible funding sources and where to go next to get help. A related resource is the publication Delivering community benefits from wind energy development: A Toolkit from the UK Government which focuses on making community benefits from commercial developer-led projects more systematic and routine.
Project advice and financial support is currently provided via the Community And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).
CARES is managed for the Scottish Government by an independent charity, Community Energy Scotland, which can provide advice, information on how to apply and details of other support schemes which may be relevant.
CARES continues the support available for communities under the previous Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) and builds on this by increasing the maximum grant levels by 50%. Grants of up to £150K are now available.
Support for householders is now provided by Energy Saving Scotland - Home Renewables, with more information available from your local Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.
All legally constituted community organisations and non-profit distributing organisations are eligible to apply. The aim of CARES is to deliver:
A reduction in CO2 emissions
A reduction in reliance on imported energy by making communities more self sufficient on meeting their own energy needs
An increase in renewable energy capacity in Scotland
A reduction in energy bills
Added value for communities: increase skills base for local trades, a stronger partnership within communities delivering wider social and economic benefits from renewable energy projects, greater awareness within communities of renewables and climate change
More information about the fund and criteria for projects
Enquiries about CARES should be sent to Community Energy Scotland in the first instance. The Scottish Government may be contacted via RenewableEnergyPolicy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.