- Community Energy Scotland
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Community Energy Scotland 
Type Charity Registration No. SC SC039673 Founded 2008 Location Dingwall, Highland, Scotland Area served Scotland Mission To provide practical help for Scottish communities on green energy development. Motto Empowering Communities Website 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]
Contents
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 twelve members of staff plus several agents in areas distant from the head office in Dingwall.[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 funds projects through the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). This extends to non-profit distributing organisations such as social enterprises and housing associations. The charity receives additional funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support its work with communities in the Highlands and Islands.[7] 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'.[8]
Projects
The renewable energy potential of their area of operation is considerable,[9] 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.[10]
The projects supported by Community Energy Scotland include:
- The Isle of Gigha in Argyll which boasts Scotland’s first community-owned wind farm. Three Vestas V27 turbines on the south end of the island are capable of generating 750kW of electricity. [11]
- Westray, one of the northern Orkney islands, which runs a vehicle using recycled bio-diesel and whose parish church is an 'eco-congregation'.[12]
- Knoydart, a peninsula in Lochaber which runs a micro hydro-electric scheme.[13]
- Unst in Shetland which is home to the PURE hydrogen fuel research project.[14]
- Findhorn in Moray which is building an eco-village and has recently launched a UN-accredited CIFAL sustainability training centre.
- The island of Eigg is undertaking a £1.3 million electrification project, part funded by HICEC. This combination of installed solar, wind and hydro power should provide a network that is self sufficient and powered 98% from renewable sources.[15]
- In early 2008 the North Harris Trust received planning consent for three 86 metre (282 ft) wind turbines to be located at Monan. David Cameron, a director of the Trust said: "It will substantially reduce our carbon emissions and it will help North Harris re-establish itself as a thriving, vibrant community".[16][17]
Annual conference
Since 2005 the annual conference has been held at Inverie, Knoydart; Tarbert, Harris; Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye; Stirling (26th-27th August 2009); and Edinburgh (26th October 2010). The 2011 Community Energy Scotland conference and training day will be held on 25th - 26th October in Inverness. [18]
See also
References
- ^ a b HICEC. (2006) Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company Annual Review. Inverness. [1].
- ^ "About Us" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ "Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company" HIE. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ Empowering Communities: Annual Review 2006-7". HICEC. Dingwall.
- ^ "Our Membership" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ "Members" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "About Us" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ "Members" Community Energy Scotland. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ Restats UK Department of Trade and Industry Renewable Energy Database
- ^ DTA Scotland
- ^ "The Story Of The Windmills" Isle Of Gigha
- ^ Ecocongregation An ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith.
- ^ "Knoydart Renewables" Knoydart Foundation
- ^ "Case Study" PURE Shetland
- ^ "Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides, Scotland - 2007" Wind and Sun Ltd. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
- ^ "North Harris community wind farm approved" (February 2008) John Muir Trust Journal No. 44.
- ^ The application was originally opposed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The objection "caused outrage" and was withdrawn in September 2007. See Ross, David, (04 September 2007) "Heritage body in U-turn over island wind farm". Glasgow. The Herald.
- ^ "Annual Conference" Community Energy Scotland
External links
- Community Energy Scotland official website
- Community Energy Scotland Twitter stream
- Community Energy Scotland Facebook page
- Isle of Gigha website
- Westray Development Trust
- PURE project
- Findhorn EcoviIlage
- Development Trusts Association Scotland.
Energy in Scotland Energy in the United KingdomSectors Companies and
organisationsAquamarine Power · British Energy · EDF Energy · European Marine Energy Centre · FREDS · Community Energy Scotland · National Grid · Office for Nuclear Regulation · Pelamis Wave Power · Score Group plc · Scotia Gas Networks · Scottish Government (Energy Department) · Scottish Gas · · Scottish Hydro Electric · Scottish Nuclear · Scottish Power · Scribbilib Consultancy Ltd · South of Scotland Electricity Board · SSE · Wavegen · Wood GroupActive power stations CoalHydro-electricNorthern scheme · Ben Cruachan scheme · Breadalbane · Tummel · Foyers scheme · Sloy-Awe scheme · Galloway scheme · Glendoe Scheme · Lanark scheme · Kinlochewe-Talladale schemeNuclearOil and gasPeterhead · LerwickWaveIslay LIMPET · Siadar Wave Energy ProjectWindOtherDundee Incinerator · Greengairs · Lerwick Incinerator · Steven's Croft · WestfieldDecommissioned
power stationsCoalNuclearOil and gasInverkip (1988) · Fife (2011)See also Categories:- Charities based in Scotland
- Renewable energy in Scotland
- Climate change in Scotland
- Sustainability in Scotland
- Sustainability organisations
- 2008 establishments in Scotland
- Organizations established in 2008
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