Community and Renewable
Energy Scheme (CARES)
Delivered by Local Energy Scotland
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Pete Mills – CARES Development
Officer
Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Local Energy Scotland – What
We Do
• Free advice and support to help communities and rural
businesses develop renewable energy projects
• Advice on funding schemes
– Support to access CARES
– Support to access the Renewable Energy Investment Fund
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Local Energy Scotland – What
We Do
• Advice on partnership arrangements with commercial
developers
• Support in working with commercial developers
• Support to access other funds
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
CARES Funding Sources
• Loans
– Pre-planning
– Post-planning
• Grants
– Start Up Grant
– Community Buildings Grant
– Network Research Grant
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
CARES Pre-Planning Loan
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Covers up to 95% of pre planning costs
Maximum loan of £150 000
10% pa interest
Write off facility
Process
Most suited to large scale wind, hydro developments
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Loan Process
• Expression of interest
• Initial contact with regional development officer
– Discuss project, initial assessment of eligibility
• Stage 1 application
– Outline of project, site visit
• Stage 2 application
• Presentation to CARES Loan Panel
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Post-Planning Loan
• Funding from the Renewable Energy Investment Fund
(REIF), delivered by Scottish Investment Bank (SIB)
• Provides financial assistance to bridge gap in bank
lending
• Can also be used by communities to invest in developer
led projects
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
CARES Start Up Grant
• Up to £10 000 for project start up costs
• Can be used for:
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Forming a community group
Community consultation costs
Pre-feasibility work
Travel costs
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
CARES Community Building
Grant
• Support community building renewable energy projects
• 90% of RE technology costs, 100% of energy audit
• Grants available for:
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Energy Audits
Energy Efficiency (insulation, draft stripping etc.)
Heat pumps
Woodfuel boilers
Small scale turbines
Solar PV
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Network Research Grants
• Investigation and development of projects that link local
energy generation with local energy use
• Projects that wish to develop innovative distribution and
storage solutions
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
CARES Grant Process
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Initial contact with development officer
Site visit (if appropriate)
Quote/tender for relevant costs
Internal appraisal
Award of grant funding
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Challenges
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Can be a lengthy process
Requires commitment
Projects can change – need to be adaptable
Need to keep track of various components of project
BUT support available from Development Officer for
every aspect of project development, including
aftercare.
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Outcomes
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Independent source of income
Improved facilities
Capacity building
More resilient communities
Lower environmental impact
Local ownership of a project
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium:
Contact Details
Pete Mills
CARES Development Officer (Local Energy Scotland)
0808 808 2288
pete_mills@thewisegroup.co.uk
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme is delivered on behalf of
the Scottish Government by the CARES Consortium: