The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to improve how communities can receive additional benefits from renewable energy developments.
Scottish Renewables, Chief Executive, Claire Mack said:
“As our clean energy transition gathers pace it is important to ensure lasting benefits are secured for Scotland. Delivering our pipeline of projects will provide a significant boost for the economy through high-value jobs, supply chain growth and inward investment.
“Scotland’s renewable energy industry is proud of our positive record to date on community benefits from projects and we want to ensure they continue to deliver for communities. In that effort, however, we must not lose sight of the challenges facing project deployment.
“We look forward to engaging constructively with this consultation to ensure community benefits are sustainable for industry and strategically placed to deliver a long-term, positive impact for local communities.”
More than £30 million has been awarded in community benefits in Scotland in 2024 up from £25 million in 2023.
This figure is expected to further increase with investment in clean energy sectors forecast to reach £40 billion over the next decade – providing greater opportunities for local areas to benefit from community benefit schemes.
Click on this link to access the consultation which closes on 11th April 2025.
The consultation contains two sections – Section 1: Offshore renewable energy developments and Section 2: Onshore net zero energy developments.
Please read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Acting Energy Secretary in the Scottish Government Gillian Martin said:
“Scotland is set to become a global renewables powerhouse – generating not only enough green electricity to power all our homes and businesses, but also to export electricity to our neighbours who also need to decarbonise and become more energy secure.
“We believe that communities should be at the heart of this transition, and it is vital that they share in the significant economic and social benefits which will be created as we develop our renewable energy resources.
“This means making sure that energy developments provide community benefit schemes which deliver tangible and long lasting legacy benefits for local areas – as well as supporting local jobs, supply chain businesses and wider growth.
“I encourage everyone with an interest to take part in the consultation, to ensure that our arrangements deliver positive and meaningful impacts of the type that communities want and help support our just and fair transition to net zero and clean energy security.”
