Scottish renewable energy projects make total payments of £10m per annum to local residents in the form of community benefit.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Renewables annual Green Energy Awards that the figures “highlighted the government’s commitment to renewable energy and ensuring communitites benefit from energy developments”.
She said recent attacks on support for the sector by the UK government “will make further increasing these benefits more difficult”.
The £10m milestone is recorded in the latest update of the Scottish government’s Community Benefit Register, which records the income communities receive from renewable energy projects.
“Local energy now helps to fund energy efficiency schemes, fuel poverty alleviation programmes and befriending projects which reduce isolation for elderly people. They meet local priorities because they are run by local communities,” said Sturgeon.
She added ahead of a visit to Paris to attend the COP21 conference: “It’s deeply disappointing that when countries should be looking at greener, cleaner alternatives, the UK government continues to rely on gas and nuclear. It is going backwards on energy policy when it should be taking a lead.
“Global leaders are gathering in Paris for the international climate change summit. I’ll be speaking at a number of events there on Monday. And I’ll be making it clear that Scotland is absolutely committed to tackling climate change and promoting climate justice.”
Image: Scottish Government
Scots scoop £10m windfall
Sturgeon questions UK policy as community benefits hit milestone figure
By EBS