£9 million for community energy generation and energy efficiency
improvements.
Communities across the country will benefit from £9 million
Scottish Government funding for measures to help cut energy costs
and support the development of locally-owned renewable energy
projects.
The funding – which builds on the successful Community Energy
Generation Growth Fund pilot – will be used to scale up community
energy projects across Scotland as part of a drive to cut carbon
emissions, create local jobs, reduce energy costs and stimulate
local investment.
It includes:
- £3.5 million for a new Community Energy Generation Growth
Fund to support communities to develop their own renewable energy
projects – such as installing wind turbines and solar panels
- £4.5 million to help local groups decarbonise their buildings
through the installation of renewable measures such as heat pumps
and solar PV panels, alongside energy efficiency measures, that
reduce energy costs and emissions
- £1 million for capacity building and development support to
help develop and progress early ideas for new community energy
projects
Announcing the funding at the annual Community and Renewable
Energy Scheme (CARES) conference in Glasgow, Acting Climate
Action Minister said:
“Communities must be at the heart of our transition to net zero
and must see the benefits of this just transition. This
transition is about both the outcome – a fairer, greener future –
and the way we get there in partnership with those most likely to
be impacted by these changes.
“That is why I am pleased to announce this £9 million investment
from the Scottish Government will be available to communities
through CARES over the next year.
“Scotland has diverse communities – from those in our cities, to
those in rural areas and on our islands. I am committed to
supporting all these communities to take part in and benefit
from the growth of Scotland's energy sector.”
Chief Executive Officer of Community Energy Scotland Zoë Holliday
said:
"The Scottish Government's continued commitment to community
energy is welcome news for groups across Scotland. The
reintroduction of funding for stand-alone generation projects has
the potential to lever in significant funds locally and play a
key role in the just transition.
"We are also delighted to see a new fund focussing on capacity
building for communities; we have been calling for such support
to ensure that when it comes to the energy transition, no
community is left behind."
Background
More information about Community Energy
Generation Growth Fund.
