Scotland’s Community Energy Generation Growth Fund has reopened for applications, with £4 million from the Scottish government and £4 million from Great British Energy to support local renewable energy generation projects.
The fund supports local communities to install wind, solar, hydro or other renewables projects to meet local needs.
The fund is part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and builds on last year’s support.
The Scottish Government said CARES has so far advised over 1,300 organisations and provided over £67 million in funding to communities throughout Scotland, supporting over 990 projects.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition.: She added, “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.”
Chris Morris from Local Energy Scotland said: “Scottish communities demonstrated an appetite to develop new projects during the pilot phase and ideas taken forward include partnering with local authorities to install solar panels on schools, getting approvals for new solar farms and building wind turbines.
“We’re looking forward to supporting communities and helping even more of these inspiring projects be realised. For Scottish communities interested, the Local Energy Scotland team is here to help with information and case studies.”