Seventeen local energy projects from across Scotland have been awarded more than £380,000 to support the development of green energy schemes, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced yesterday.
More than 100 applications were received from community groups, charities, local authorities, housing associations, universities and businesses through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) Local Energy Challenge Fund. The successful applicants can use the funding to develop their ideas and proposals to take them to the next stage of the Challenge Fund.
Winning proposals range from Shetland to the Borders, and include proposals to address grid constraints, innovative district heating schemes, hydrogen production and energy storage.
Speaking at the Community Energy Scotland conference Mr Ewing said: “We have an ambition to put communities at the heart of local energy systems. There are huge benefits to local energy ownership, like supporting the needs of the community for decades to come, whilst creating and securing jobs, underpinning regeneration and funding energy efficiency improvements for hundreds of local people.
“We want a renewable energy market where community stakes are the norm and local groups – private and public sector – can come together to design local energy systems that suit their needs.
“The Local Energy Challenge Fund will help reshape how energy is delivered and used in communities throughout the country, confirming Scotland’s position as a global leader in renewables and low carbon development.
“I also want to congratulate Community Energy Scotland for putting forward three successful bids. I know that they have championed the local energy economies agenda for some time, and today’s event is a real opportunity to share knowledge and experience on these and other related projects.”
Press release; Image: Scottish Government