Community-owned renewable energy projects up 62 per cent in Scotland

New figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre(SPICe) reveal that there were 456 communities benefitting from wind, solar, hydro, heat pump and biomass projects across the country as of summer 2017.

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Technology Category

June 2011

June 2012

June 2013

June 2014

June 2015

June 2016

June 2017

New Projects 2011-17

% growth 2011-17

Biomass (wood)

36

39

48

56

58

60

60

24

66.7%

Energy from waste

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

–

Heat Pump

80

86

91

113

118

118

119

39

48.8%

Hydro

9

11

12

14

23 (1)

29 (1)

33 (3)

24

266.7%

Solar PV

14

17

20

26

30

32

32

18

128.6%

Solar Thermal

50

51

53

64

66

66

66

16

32.0%

Wind

91 (4)

95 (4)

112 (9)

127 (9)

131 (9)

136 (12)

143 (13)

52

57.1%

Unspecified

0

0

0

2

2

2

2

2

–

Total

281 (4)

300 (4)

337 (9)

403 (9)

429 (10)

444 (13)

456 (16)

175

62.3%

 

The SNP has said initiatives such as the Community Empowerment Actand the Local Energy Challenge Fund have helped support communities to develop their own low carbon energy.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin, who sits on Holyrood’s economy committee, said: “The rapid increase in community-owned green energy projects can not only help communities cut down on their carbon footprint, but it will also save them money – providing them with the energy they need now and in the future as the technology progresses further.

“And as the planet continues to warm and the devastating impact of climate change hits communities across the globe, the need for these small, community-based projects becomes ever more important as we seek a sustainable future.”