Community groups across Scotland will receive £10 million over five years to install renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in local buildings.
The investment from the National Lottery Community Fund will support projects through the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme Community Buildings Fund.
Funding will be available for technologies including heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage, alongside improvements designed to cut energy use and lower bills.
The scheme is aimed at community buildings used by local organisations, including those supporting vulnerable residents.
CARES provides advice and financial support to groups developing renewable energy, low-carbon heat and energy efficiency projects. It is administered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The investment was announced by Energy Minister Stephen Gethins during a visit to Shetland. He visited the Scalloway Youth and Community Project, which used CARES funding to install a heat pump, solar panels and battery storage.
The Government said the new investment will help more organisations reduce operating costs while cutting carbon emissions from community buildings.
It is also expected to support local supply chains involved in installing and maintaining renewable technologies.
Mr Gethins said: “By supporting the installation of renewable technologies and energy efficiency measures, we can cut costs for organisations serving some of our most vulnerable people, reduce emissions from community buildings, and strengthen local supply chains.”
The funding will build on existing CARES support for community-led energy projects across Scotland. Projects will be expected to show how they can reduce energy use, lower bills and deliver wider benefits for the people who rely on local services.
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