As mentioned in this week's Renewable Energy Debate on Riddoch Questions

In the course of the Renewable Energy Debate, Lesley mentions there are organisations who can help with community renewable energy schemes. 

Energy4All encourages people from all walks of life to be part of the renewable revolution and join in the fight against climate change, whilst maximising the social, economic, and environmental benefits of schemes to the community. Their  main website is www.energy4all.co.uk and they have developed an unique website, Energy4All Steps which provides step by step guidance, along with clear and practical information on the process of building wind farms and projects. This web site is www.energysteps.coop

The Climate Challenge Fund is an £18.8m fund  and it's for community-led projects that cut carbon, and also ideally  meet social and economic objectives in the area at the same time. It's  already supported projects small and large, including £390 to a golf  club in Invergordon to help them get planning permission for a  turbine, £343k to a Cardenden housing association to bring in biomass  combined heat and power for social housing, and £750k to Going Carbon  Neutral Stirling to cover a wide range of projects across the city. It  can provide both capital and revenue funding, but actual renewables  hardware will continue to be funded by the Scottish Community and  Householder Renewables Initiative. The staff at both funds should help  people put in those combined applications if that's what's required,  and the Climate Challenge Fund also has a network of organisations  lined up to give advice, everyone from local authorities and the  Scottish Renewables Forum through to Stop Climate Chaos Scotland,  depending on what sort of advice communities need for their specific  ideas. Their website is www.climatechallengefund.org

Community Energy Scotland is a new Scottish Charity set up to actively support and fund communities throughout Scotland to develop sustainable energy projects.  Its aim is to build confidence, resilience and wealth at community level in Scotland through sustainable energy development.Community Energy Scotland has taken over the work and staff of the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company and has delivered over 500 successful sustainable energy projects.  Community Energy Scotland delivers the community stream of the Scottish Government's Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) in the Highlands and Islands.  It also receives funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to provide advice and funding for community energy projects located in the Highlands and Islands.  The company aims however to develop its support role to communities across Scotland, with fully coverage by 2009. Their website is www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk

The Energy Saving Trust's 'Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres' are also a good source of advice on micro-renewables - call 0800 512 012 to get through to your local centre.

Comments

[James]

A very interesting debate, with us environmentalists definitely outnumbered in the audience. Shame Bob Graham's "facts" were all wrong!
http://www.twodoctors.org/2008/10/the-angry-mob-gathered.html

[scottish power]

Thanks for these links - they seem to be very wothwhile and innovative schemes. Only just got round to listening to the debate, it was fascinating stuff - thanks!