Community Energy Scotland

Community Energy Scotland
Founded 2008
Type Charity
Registration no. SC SC039673
Location
Area served
Scotland
Slogan Empowering Communities
Mission To provide practical help for Scottish communities on green energy development.
Website www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk

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.[1] The stated aim of Community Energy Scotland is 'to build confidence, resilience and wealth at community level in Scotland through sustainable energy development'.[2]

History

Having evolved from the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (or HICEC), a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise formed in 2004, Community Energy Scotland became an independent entity with a national remit in the summer of 2008.[3] They currently employ 20 members of staff some based in head office in Inverness, some based in offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Benbecula and Perth[1][4] Community Energy Scotland is an independent charity governed by its members.[5] The charity works closely with its members to develop projects which bring most benefit to their local communities.[6]

Community Energy Scotland supports projects through several different programmes. This extends to non-profit distributing organisations such as social enterprises and housing associations. The charity also delivers programmes from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support its work with communities in the Highlands and Islands, from The Lottery, and from various regional schemes across Scotland[2] The charity also acts as a lobbying organisation with the aim of 'ensuring that community energy achieves a high status on Scotland's political agenda'.[6]

Projects

The renewable energy potential of their area of operation is considerable,[7] 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.[8]

The projects supported by Community Energy Scotland include:

Annual conference

Since 2005 the annual conference has been held at Inverie, Knoydart; Tarbert, Harris; Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye; Stirling (26–27 August 2009); and Edinburgh (26 October 2010). [16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 HICEC. (2006) Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company Annual Review. Inverness. .
  2. 1 2 "About Us" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company" HIE. Retrieved 19 September 2008. Archived 14 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Empowering Communities: Annual Review 2006-7". HICEC. Dingwall.
  5. ↑ "Our Membership" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Members" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Restats UK Department of Trade and Industry Renewable Energy Database
  8. ↑ DTA Scotland Archived 27 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ↑ "The Story Of The Windmills" Isle Of Gigha
  10. ↑ Ecocongregation An ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith.
  11. ↑ "Knoydart Renewables" Knoydart Foundation
  12. ↑ "Case Study" PURE Shetland
  13. ↑ "Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides, Scotland - 2007" Wind and Sun Ltd. Retrieved 20 September 2007. Archived 1 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ "North Harris community wind farm approved" (February 2008) John Muir Trust Journal No. 44.
  15. ↑ The application was originally opposed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The objection "caused outrage" and was withdrawn in September 2007. See Ross, David, (4 September 2007) "Heritage body in U-turn over island wind farm". Glasgow. The Herald.
  16. ↑ "Annual Conference" Community Energy Scotland Archived 8 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
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