The "world's first community-owned tidal power generator" became operational in Bluemull Sound off Yell, Shetland, in early 2014. This 30 kW Nova Innovation device feeds into the local grid, and a 100 kW tidal turbine was connected in August 2016. W
There is considerable support for community-scale energy projects. For example, Alex Salmond, the then First Minister of Scotland, has stated that "we can think big by delivering small" and aspired to have a "million Scottish households with access to their own or community renewable generation within ten years". The John Muir Trust has also stated that "the best renewable energy options around wild land are small-scale, sensitively sited and adjacent to the communities directly benefiting from them", although even community-owned schemes can prove controversial. W
Local energy[edit | edit source]
Local Energy Scotland is a consortium made up of the Energy Saving Trust (EST), Changeworks, The Energy Agency, SCARF, and The Wise Group.
Local Energy Scotland administers and manages the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) with support for delivery from Ricardo Energy & Environments.
The purpose of CARES is to support the development of locally owned renewable energy projects which provide wider community benefits.
Loan finance is available to cover the pre-planning consent (high risk) stage of project development, a high risk cost which is widely seen as a barrier to community groups and smaller businesses who would otherwise wish to develop a project.
The Scottish Government Register of Community Benefits from Renewables was relaunched on the Local Energy Scotland website on 5 March 2014 by Fergus Ewing MSP.
Local Energy Scotland has a network of development officers across Scotland.
- Local Energy Scotland, site includes Map of community and local energy projects, added 15:28, 19 October 2023 (UTC) Video: Local Energy Scotland on youtube.com
Community ownership of wind farms[edit | edit source]
Community-owned schemes in Scotland include one on the Isle of Gigha. The Heritage Trust set up Gigha Renewable Energy to buy and operate three Vestas V27 wind turbines, known locally as The Dancing Ladies or Creideas, Dòchas is Carthannas (Gaelic for Faith, Hope and Charity). They were commissioned on 21 January 2005 and are capable of generating up to 675 kW of power. Revenue is produced by selling the electricity to the grid via an intermediary called Green Energy UK. Gigha residents control the whole project and profits are reinvested in the community.
Findhorn Ecovillage has four Vestas wind turbines which can generate up to 750 kW. These make the community net exporters of renewably generated electricity. Most of the generation is used on-site with any surplus exported to the National Grid.
Boyndie Wind Farm Co-operative is part of the Energy4All group, which promotes community ownership. A number of other schemes supported by Community Energy Scotland are in the pipeline.
In 2016 two batteries were added to the Gigha system. W
see also: Community energy, Eigg
Community Hydro power[edit | edit source]
- Aberdeen Community Energy, multi-award winning Community Benefit Society, set up in 2015 by the Donside Community Association to build, own and operate the Donside Hydro Scheme on behalf of the community.
- Callander Community Hydro Project, Stirling
above links checked Philralph (talk) 12:25, 19 October 2023 (UTC)
Community energy Scotland[edit | edit source]
Community Energy Scotland is an independent Scottish charity established in 2008 that provides advice and financial support for renewable energy projects developed by community groups in Scotland. The stated aim of Community Energy Scotland is 'to build confidence, resilience and wealth at community level in Scotland through sustainable energy development'.
The renewable energy potential of their area of operation is considerable, with a large number of small communities which are pioneering community owned and led projects. Many of these renewable energy projects are being undertaken by social enterprises such as development trusts. W
See also[edit | edit source]
- Topic overview: Community energy
- UK context: Community energy UK
