Communities across Scotland could see more money invested in
their area as a result of onshore renewable energy developments –
under new proposals published today.
The proposed updates to existing community benefit guidance for
onshore energy developments would recommend that local groups
should receive yearly payments of £6,000 per Megawatt (MW) of
onshore wind capacity – up from £5,000 per MW – for the lifetime
of a project.
‘Community benefits' are voluntary contributions provided by
energy developers to local communities. Around £30 million in
benefits was provided to groups across Scotland last year,
supporting projects that matter most to local communities.
The proposals also include:
- a new specific recommended range of £700-£1000 per MW per
year for solar projects;
- a new recommended level of at least £150 per MW per year for
battery energy storage projects;
- the pilot of a Community Benefit Peer Forum, run by Local
Energy Scotland, so communities can work together, share learning
and build expertise;
- and improved guidance to support communities to maximise the
long-term value of community benefit funds.
Energy Secretary said: “For more than 10
years, Scotland has led the way in establishing the provision of
community benefits as a common and expected practice across our
renewables sector.
“This has led to communities and energy developers working
together to deliver tangible and long-lasting legacy benefits for
local areas – along with the wider benefits of local jobs, supply
chain businesses and growing local economies.
“The updated proposals outlined today seek to strike a balanced
approach to future fund levels which continue to serve
communities well while reflecting the market challenges for
developers over recent years.
“We will continue to engage with communities and the energy
sector to help refine these proposals ahead of developing our
final updated Good Practice Principles later this year.”
Stephen McCarron, Chief Operating Officer at the 9 Community
Councils Group, said: “The 9CC Group warmly welcome the
significant updates to the Good Practice Principles and are
delighted that it adopts our key asks for communities to be at
the heart of the decision making regarding the funding and
delivery support for local and strategic priorities.
“It's an excellent document; comprehensive and clear on best
practice while striking fair balance on the interests of
developers and communities.
“A partnership approach is critical to creating a lasting legacy
for our communities and whilst we will continue to promote a
collaborative and wider approach in terms of communities working
together, we are pleased that there is a clear distinction
between those who make local decisions on funding and those who
administer the fund, that avoids the risk of self interest
undermining the greater good for the wider community."
Background:
The Good Practice Principles are national guidance that sets
clear expectations for developers and communities on how
community benefits should be designed and delivered. Read
the Working Paper on Refreshing the Good Practice
Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable
Energy.
Have your say on the
proposals.
This follows a public consultation held in 2025, which gathered
views from communities, developers and wider stakeholders.
Around £30 million was awarded in community benefits in Scotland
in 2025, up from £25 million in 2023. This figure is expected to
further increase over the next decade as Scotland's
renewables transition progresses.
Previous examples of how community benefits have been spent
include: funding improvements to home energy efficiency, creating
apprenticeship programmes, and supporting the building of local
affordable housing.
The estimate of around £30 million offered in community benefits
in 2025 is drawn from the Scottish Government's
Community Benefits Register.
The figure of £25 million for 2023 is sourced from the published
analysis in the report Community Benefits
from Onshore Renewable Energy: Narrative Report (February
2024).
Energy Statistics for Scotland –
Q3 2025 - gov.scot
