27-02-2015
New Scottish Community Renewables website launched
Friends of the Earth Scotland today launched a new online platform (www.communitypower.scot) showcasing a European wide campaign for people’s ownership of renewable energy called ‘Community Power’.
www.communitypower.scot went live this morning and shares examples of successful community owned renewable energy projects from across Scotland.
Friends of the Earth Scotland community power campaigner Anne Schiffer said:
“Community groups across Scotland are leading the way in moving from dirty fossil fuels to harnessing our vast renewable energy potential. The stories collected here show how individuals and communities have made this journey and will hopefully inspire others to start their own project.”
The case studies are intended to inform and inspire Scottish communities thinking about starting a project but have also attracted interest from further afield. Friends of the Earth Scotland is involved in a European Community Power project with partners in Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Belgium and Hungary.
“Our European partners are looking closely at the Scottish experience to learn from what has worked well but also what might need to be improved upon for their local circumstances. This website makes that information exchange easier and more accessible to an even wider audience.
“Community energy is about giving power to the people and creating a fairer energy system based on renewable energy. “
The website also showcases the Scottish Community Energy Coalition whose members are helping communities across Scotland realise local energy projects. Communities are invited to attend the 2015 Community And Renewable Energy Scheme CARES conference, a joint coalition event.
Scotland is on track to beat their 500MW target of community and locally-owned renewable energy by 2020. Friends of the Earth Scotland want the target to be revised upwards to 2000MW by 2030.
Anne concluded: Community power is a big success story in Scotland but we can do so much more. We are urging the Scottish Government to increase their current target for community and locally owned energy for 2020 and to set an even more ambitious target for 2030.”
The website was supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Clara Glovier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported the Community Power project. The website will help spread the word about the benefits of these great local initiatives and the positive impact they will have for future generations”.
Source: http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/
