Small-scale green energy grants rise to £150,000

THE level of grants to help communities develop small-scale renewable energy schemes has been increased by the Scottish Government.

Up to £150,000 is now available – a rise of 50 per cent – to fund technical support, training and installation of green energy equipment.

The Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme (Cares) replaces an initiative which helped develop more than 400 projects. Energy minister Jim Mather said: "I want to maximise the benefits of renewable energy to communities throughout Scotland."

Nicholas Gubbins, chief executive of Dingwall-based charity Community Energy Scotland, which is delivering the Cares project, said: "There is already a high level of interest and enthusiasm within communities for developing their own projects.

"These can bring real benefits to communities, helping to address energy costs and making a significant contribution to Scotland's carbon and renewable energy targets."