Community groups across Scotland are to receive further help to
cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, thanks to a
£10 million investment over five years from the largest community
funder in the UK.
The National Lottery Community Fund investment will help to fund
the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps and
solar panels, as well as energy efficiency measures through the
Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme
(CARES) Community Buildings Fund.
CARES provides advice and funding to communities looking to
develop renewable energy, heat decarbonisation and energy
efficiency projects. It is administered by Local Energy Scotland
on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The investment was announced by Energy Minister during a visit to
Shetland, where he saw how CARES funding helped Scalloway Youth
and Community Project install a heat pump, solar panels and a
battery.
The Minister said:
Scotland's communities are at the heart of our transition to more
affordable energy, and this £10 million investment over five
years from The National Lottery Community Fund will help even
more of them benefit from it.
By supporting the installation of renewable technologies and
energy efficiency measures, we can cut costs for organisations
serving some of our most vulnerable people, reduce emissions from
community buildings, and strengthen local supply chains.
CARES has already delivered over £83 million to communities
across Scotland, supporting more than 1,200 projects and 75MW of
renewable energy capacity. This new funding will enable more
communities to build on that progress in the places that matter
to them, and I would encourage any organisations who have not
already applied to speak with Local Energy Scotland to see what
help they may be eligible for.
Kate Still, Chair or The National Lottery Community Fund
Scotland, said:
We're delighted to have established this partnership with the
Scottish Government and Local Energy Scotland. Supporting
communities to be environmentally sustainable is one of our key
missions at The National Lottery Community Fund. That's why we
are investing £10 million in the CARES Community Buildings Fund.
It significantly increases CARES funding while keeping access to
support and funding straightforward for community groups.
Community buildings are often at the heart of local communities
across Scotland, bringing people together to connect and support
one another. Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding
will help organisations invest in renewable and carbon-saving
technologies, making these valued local spaces greener, more
sustainable and more resilient. We know communities want to play
a leading role in responding to climate change, and this
investment will enable organisations of all sizes to take
meaningful action while creating lasting benefits for both people
and the environment.
Laura McGadie, Operations Director at the Energy Saving Trust,
said:
We're incredibly proud of everything CARES has achieved so far in
supporting communities across Scotland. This funding from The
National Lottery Community Fund will help us build on that
success, enabling us to reach even more communities and support
them on their journey towards a more sustainable future.
