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What are renewables?
Renewable energy is electricity, fuel or heat that is generated from any source that can be continually replaced. These sources include wind, solar, tidal, hydro and wave power as well as
biomass which is anything derived from animal or plant matter.
Renewable energy is practical, competitively priced and environmentally clean. Natural resources are now being harnessed to supply homes, offices and towns. Wastes that would otherwise
become pollutants produce heat and power, while energy from the earth provides electricity and heats and cools homes and buildings. All such strategies save fuel and money whilst reducing maintenance and
pollution. With abundant renewable energy resources available, now is the time to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and look to the future.
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The Scottish Executive announced a Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) on 23 June 2002. The SCHRI is delivered though the HIE Community Energy Unit which
functions as follows:
 | Builds up and disseminates expertise in developing community renewable projects, including knowledge of the many and various sources of possible project funding; |
| Undertakes an extensive programme of networking with appropriate community organisations, housing associations and local authorities – to inform them about the potential benefits of
community renewables projects and funding sources; |
| Brings interested parties together to develop projects, e.g. developers, community organisations, and appropriate consultants; |
| Promotes awareness of opportunities (media, workshops, presentations, dedicated pan-Scotland website); |
| Facilitates in development of projects, providing assistance with funding sources for feasibility studies and capital projects; |
| Supports community organisations during the process of project development; |
Find out more about the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative on the Energy Saving Trust website www.est.co.uk.
Jon Priddy, tel: 01408 633872, is CEU adviser for north-west Highland. Jon is located in the Golspie office of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE). Jon is the first-point contact for
the CASE and Ross and Cromarty Enterprise areas.
Community renewables toolkit
The Highland Council has posted a community renewables toolkit on its website's community benefit page.
www.highland.gov.uk/cx/community-benefit/community_benefit.htm
In partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the council recently produced this toolkit highlighting opportunities for communities to benefit from renewable energy production and
use.
The main text reports on the recent increase in renewable energy development in the Highlands and describes how a community can develop its own renewable energy scheme. It presents an
overview of community benefit from commercial development, including a community benefit 'roadmap' for community councils and community groups that signposts sources of help. It also offers advice on relevant
planning matters.
To obtain a hard copy of this toolkit, contact:
Una Lee, Sustainable Development Officer
The Highland Council
Tel: 01463 702543
or write to her at the council's headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX
or email: una.lee@highland.gov.uk |
CREF web-site designed and maintained by Tina Irving, Heriot Watt University, site last updated: 18 August, 2005
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