Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess has highlighted the benefits of community energy ownership, in a motion at the Scottish Parliament.
The motion highlights three communities in the Highlands and Islands that have used income from their community-owned wind farms or hydro turbines to invest in infrastructure projects, community-owned housing, and other projects that meet local need.
Ms Burgess is calling for the Scottish Government to increase support for such projects so that more communities across Scotland can enjoy these lasting financial and social benefits.
Just days after Ms Burgess’ motion was published, the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government announced several related policies including a review of community rights to buy land and assets; a Community Wealth Building Bill, and “fully engaging with the UK Government on…any plans to explore mandating community benefits” and on a review of Scottish energy consenting, which could potentially fast-track community projects.
Ms Burgess said:
“I have visited numerous communities that own renewable assets, and have seen first-hand how transformative they can be.
“Community-owned energy provides an income stream beyond one-off grants; it gives control back to communities and builds confidence and capacity.
“As the country transitions to green energy, we should use this opportunity to democratise our energy system as well as decarbonise it.
“Instead of replacing a handful of fossil fuel multinationals with a handful of renewable multinationals, let’s redistribute some of the ownership and the wealth generated by Scotland’s abundant renewable resources.
“The Scottish Community Coalition on Energy have called on the Scottish Government to set a target for 100% community-owned energy and draw up a roadmap to achieve that.
“I’m asking the Scottish Government to put that target into their upcoming Energy Strategy.”
