The Community Energy Coalition is calling for a new approach to retain sustainable energy in local communities and the revenueA CAMPAGIN has been launched by a coalition of community-owned renewable energy hubs to distribute Scotland’s natural resources more evenly.
Community Land Scotland Chair Ailsa Raeburn said the campaign aims to keep revenue in local communities in Scotland while also benefiting the environment by switching to greener energy-producing solutions. “Very importantly schemes are locally owned, meaning that all profits are kept locally and used to provide services and facilities in that community.One example of the six-community-owned renewable energy projects is the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, which developed the first community-owned grid-connected wind turbine in 2004.The four wind turbines are best known locally as the Dancing Ladies, which have over the years delivered hundreds of thousands of pounds in net revenue to the community.
It is also the largest community-owned wind farm in the UK and generates £900,000 annually, which will rise to £2 million once all the loans which were taken out to fund the project are paid off. Raeburn says more Scottish communities should have the opportunity to have access to their renewable energy source and should reap the benefits financially.
“And where that isn't possible developers should invest in a new National Community Wealth Fund. This would be a fund that ensures those closest to developments are prioritised for reinvestment.