How these are awarded is the subject of a consultation by the Scottish Government.

The consultation contains two sections – Section 1: Offshore renewable energy developments and Section 2: Onshore net zero energy developments. 

The consultation paper contains full background information for the consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.

Some projects in Scotland have created community benefit funds but not all. The purpose of the consultation is to update Good Practice Principles for onshore and offshore renewable energy.  Good Practice Principles for onshore renewables was last updated in 2019. Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Offshore Renewable Energy Developments were published in 2015. 

The situation currently involves:

Community Benefits

Community benefits: a renewable industry-led voluntary initiative to support communities – often in the form of funds.

Gallowhill, Westray: owner, Westray Development Trust. Onshore wind, capacity 1.8MW. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr) £63

Burgar Hill, Evie: owner RWE. Onshore wind, capacity 10.8MW. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr)£1,250. Contributes to Burgar Hill Wind Farm Community Fund, Evie and Rendall Community Council. Fund to Community councillors.

Hammars Hill, Evie: owner, Hammars Hill Energy Limited. Onshore wind, capacity 4.5MW. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr)£2,222.

Burray: owner, Orkney Renewable Energy Ltd. Onshore wind, capacity 0.85MW. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr)£4,706.

West Hill, Flotta: owner, Flotta Wind Power Ltd, Onshore wind, capacity, 2MW. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr)£2,000.

Community Shared Ownership

Community shared ownership projects: Shared ownership gives community groups the chance to make an investment in a commercially owned renewable energy project.

Spurness, Sanday. Owner, SSE Renewables. Onshore wind, capacity 10MW. Percent of project offered for shared ownership10.00. Community benefits offered, not known.

Community and Locally Owned

Eday Partnership Community Wind Turbine: Onshore wind, capacity 0.9MW. Community shared ownership offered, not known. Community share 100%.

Stronsay Development Trust Community Wind Turbine: Onshore wind, capacity 0.9MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Community share 100%.

Stenso (land near) Evie: Onshore wind, capacity 0.6MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

Peedie Kirk Solar PV: Solar PV, capacity  0.293078MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

The Burray Wind Turbine: Onshore wind, capacity 0.85MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

Flotta: Onshore wind, capacity 1.75MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

West Hill, Flotta: Onshore wind, capacity 2MW. Owner, Flotta Wind Power Ltd. Community shared ownership offered not known, Locally owned share 100%. Value of committed community benefit package (£/MW/Yr)£2,000.

Thomson’s Hill, Hoy: Onshore wind, capacity 0.45MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

Island of Hoy Development Trust Community Wind Turbine: Onshore wind, capacity 0.9MW. Community shared ownership offered not known. Locally owned share 100%.

The consultation closes on 11 April 2025. Click on this link to share your views: Community Benefits From Net Zero Energy Developments

Fiona Grahame