What is this about?
To encourage rural communities and businesses to install small scale renewable energy capacity as a way to help diversification of the rural economy and improve the quality of life for rural areas. As part of a wider programme of rural diversification measures, sharing the cost of investment in renewable energy projects, can contribute towards this aim.
What will be achieved
- Strengthen rural communities
- Reduction in carbon emissions
- Environmental improvements
- Help towards developing a local, sustainable energy supply
- Result in improvement in the viability of any non-land based business enterprise
What you can do?
Develop small scale renewable energy capacity up to 250kW that uses a range of renewable technologies, such as biogas, biomass, and microrenewables where the investment will contribute to the achievement listed above. In exceptional circumstances, application for installations over 250kW will be considered on a case by case basis, where applicants can demonstrate the generation capacity is primarily for their own use.
Who can apply?
- Rural communities (definition of <3000) NB. The main support mechanism for community renewables installations is via the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative and applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have discussed their project with the local SCHRI Development Officer who will be able to advise on their project.
- Rural (other than agricultural or forestry) businesses (employing fewer than 10 people and whose turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed €2m)
- Producer Networks
Eligibility Criteria
- Micro renewable energy systems (defined as up to 50kW or 45kW heat) must be installed by a registered installer on the Microgeneration Accreditation list.
- All Combined Heat and Power (CHP) installations must meet the criteria set for Good Quality for the purposes of Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme as set out in the CHP Quality Assurance (CHPQA) Programme.
- If located in a Smoke Control Area, must install an exempt appliance
What costs are supported?
Up to 50% of costs of:
- purchase and installation, construction, upgrading or development of infrastructure and/or equipment of renewable device
- purchase of specialist equipment for harvesting, pre-use processing, quality assurance and handling, if involved in the supply of wood fuel
- direct set up costs related to the creation of producer groups, including legal and administrative work in setting up, rental of office accommodation and purchase/rental of office and IT equipment.
To ensure value for money we require you to provide 2 competitive quotes for any capital items applied for which are based on actual cost. If, however, you are seeking grant support towards something so specialised it is only available through 1 source then we would accept 1 quote. Please see the guidance on quotes and estimates for more information.
What technologies are supported?
- Small scale wind turbines
- Hydro-electric turbines
- Solar panels
- Automated woodfuel boilers
- Heat pumps
- Solar water heating
- Specialist equipment for harvesting biomass, pre-use processing (e.g. dryers, chippers, pelletisers), quality assurance (e.g. for checking moisture content, chip size, etc.) and handling.
- Supply chain equipment
Rate of support?
- Up to 50% of eligible cost
Revenue costs based on sliding scale, up to 100% in first year, 80% in second year, 60% in third year.
Type of Support.
One-off capital grant, one-off payment against equipment and installation of renewable energy scheme
Start up: reimbursement against total costs.
Inspections/verification
- All final claims must be certified with relevant invoices
- All least one visit to the site will be undertaken prior to payment of final claim
- Microgeneration Accreditation list of registered installers will be checked
- If applicable, the criteria set for good quality CHP Programme will be verified for compliance
- If located in a Smoke Control Area must install an exempt appliance and this licence will be verified
Where applicable, applications must show that a viable fuel supply and an adequate installation and after sales support will be available to the end user.
Before payment is received potential beneficiaries must:
- produce the necessary documentation to demonstrate that renewable energy system was installed by registered installer and that technology is on Microgeneration Certification Accreditation list
- ensure all final claims to be certified by an independent accountant.
Technical Guidance