This module:

  • highlights key principles to bear in mind and questions to ask when discussing community benefit packages
  • sets out how to develop respectful and accountable relations between the renewable energy business and the community
  • provides information on what a written agreement between the renewable energy developer the community should cover.

At the outset, it is worth ensuring the community(ies) are well placed to secure community benefits that are fair and can maximise delivery of the community’s aspirations. This means getting organised, asking the right questions of the renewable energy business about the project, seeking consensus locally about the opportunity, and ideally securing a written agreement over the package of benefits. Achieving some of these things may require some external support.

This guidance was developed and written by Foundation Scotland. It was commissioned by the Scottish Government and Energy Saving Trust, and produced by Local Energy Scotland.