Communities across Scotland seeking to set up renewable energy generation projects can bid for support from an £8 million government fund which has reopened for applications.
The Community Energy Generation Growth Fund supports local communities to install wind turbines and solar panels or develop other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro, to meet local needs.
The fund is financed jointly between the Scottish Government and the UK Government’s Great British Energy with each government providing £4 million.
Successful applicants will be able to earn money from their projects by, for example, allowing them to sell excess energy generate
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition.
“This funding, for stand-alone generation projects, responds to the needs of local
groups - has the potential to lever in significant funds for communities. It will
also play a key role in our delivery of a just transition – supporting a greener,
fairer future for Scots.
“It is also welcome that Great British Energy recognise the valuable role that communities play in our green transition and have provided support for the fund – helping to significantly increase the amount of support available to communities – and providing a catalyst for growth within the community energy sector.
“We will continue to work with our partners to grow the community energy sector to ensure that the delivery of renewable energy comes with benefits for people in Scotland, as well as supporting progress towards net zero.”
Torcuil Crichton is urging community energy groups to access the fund and help get their renewable power schemes off the ground.
The MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar said: “The Western Isles have the largest concentration
of community-owned energy in the UK. We are leaders in the field but there is so
much more potential for communities to reap the wealth of the wind from renewable
schemes.”
Mr Crichton added: “There are big challenges, with grid connections, planning and
environmental regulations and financing but island communities have shown what can
be done and this funding should be used to expand community-owned power across the
Highlands.”
Labour’s Minister for Energy Michael Shanks MP said: “This is our clean energy superpower
mission in action - putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation
and making sure people profit.
“Great British Energy wants to kickstart a community energy revolution, empowering our towns and villages to become mini energy producers and reinvest profits back into the local community.”
New funding for community energy projects
14 May 2025