Local Energy Scotland administers and manages the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). CARES supports communities to engage with, participate in, and benefit from the transition to net zero emissions.

Through CARES, Local Energy Scotland offers a range of financial support and advice to community groups to get local energy projects up and running. Our service is free and impartial, and we will support you at every stage – from initial planning, through development and funding applications, right up to and beyond the launch. We can also direct you to other useful sources of funding and support, including those from other organisations that we work with.

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES)

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) supports communities to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions.

It aims to accelerate progress towards the Scottish Government’s targets of 2GW of community and locally owned energy by 2030 and decarbonising Scotland’s buildings. This is achieved through funding and support for community groups to install renewable energy generation.

How we can help

CARES is more than funding. We can help you develop your local energy project by offering:

  • free, expert and impartial advice from our local development officers
  • free online resources including toolkits and project guides to help you identify what might work for you
  • technical support through our framework contractors – for example, to complete a feasibility study or develop a renewable energy project
  • access to project managers with the right experience to develop your project
  • mobilisation support for capital projects – design review, costs, and procurement support
  • ongoing support with project development and delivery
  • mentoring and community online discussion in our Facebook group
  • funding through grants and no/low interest loans to develop projects.

Learn how we support communities in Scotland by visiting our sharing CARES success stories page.

Core consortium partners

Local Energy Scotland a consortium made up of:

Energy Saving Trust delivers the fund administration, contract management and specialist advice.

Changeworks, Energy Agency and Scarf will employ the majority of the advice and support team, for example our CARES development officers and specialists. This means our staff, who provide local support, are embedded within thriving Scottish charities and will benefit from the established local partnerships and reach of the charities.