The next step is to establish some key information about what is on offer, when, to which communities and for what purpose. The renewable energy business may not have reached a final decision on this so there may be some room to influence this. When communities enter into discussions on community benefits they need to be aware of the renewable energy business’ aims and perspective, and the commercial environment they are operating in. The renewable energy business has to have a financially viable model for the project, and ultimately, is under no obligation to provide the communities with any form of community benefit. That is entirely voluntary.

Key questions

Before meeting with the renewable energy business, think about the key information that the community requires. Key questions might include:

  • Which communities will benefit?
  • If more than one community will benefit, is the package to be split or managed as one? If it will be split, in what proportions and on what basis?
  • Is the value of the package of benefits aligned with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles for Community Benefit?
  • Is an annual fund on offer as part of the package of benefits? If so, what level of funding is being offered? If annual fund is on offer, please see the additional questions in the Key questions for Community Benefit Funds annex.

Arrangements

Some renewable energy businesses will have a ‘standard’ arrangement they offer and may have a preference for a specific model or structure for the community benefit package. Find out if this is the case and whether there is any flexibility in this. If the community is already receiving community benefits, it may be reasonable to ask the renewable energy business to channel the benefits through an existing structure, if that is appropriate (see the module Getting the Governance Right) and the community feel it is working well.

Community benefits can be of most value to communities where they can be used to meet the priorities the communities determine, enabling the communities to use them to meet their own needs and aspirations (and which of course will change over time). However, most renewable energy business will likely have a list of things that they do not wish to be supported. In most cases these may be quite understandable; campaigns against renewable energy development or the delivery of statutory functions for example. Some compromise may be required.

Timescales

In line with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles, it is reasonable to expect the renewable energy business to provide their anticipated timescale for project development up to the point of first commercial operation, showing key milestones and how community benefit discussions may fit into this timeframe. This will enable communities to plan their own research and discussions in good time and in advance of key meetings with the renewable energy business. Some community benefits have started from the date of construction rather than of commissioning. Whilst this is not standard practice, where construction activity is significant in terms of duration or inconvenience, this may sometimes be offered by the renewable energy business.