The CARES Conference: Idea to impact – community energy in action in December 2025 was a great success. Thank you to all who attended, presented and helped with the preparation of event.
Below you can revisit any story or session you enjoyed and catch up on anything you missed.
Introduction
Sharing community stories
- Gavin Steven, Arran Renewables
- Brenda Park, Porty Community Energy
- Alan Roseweir, Fort, Seafield and Wallacetown Community Association
- Kashif Anwar, Annexe Communities
- Jane Fullerton and Linda Barclay, Tillydrone Community Development Trust
Community energy pioneers
Session 1 – Getting started with community energy
Session summary: If you’re new to community energy, this is the place to start. You’ll learn about the support available through the new CARES Community Energy Launchpad and Development Fund to get your project going. We’ll also help you to think about how to get the most out of early exploratory work such as options appraisals.
Speakers:
- Fidra Sym, Local Energy Scotland
- Anna Philbrick, Community Energy Scotland
- Becky McLean, Civic
Session 3 – Current trends and what’s next for community energy
Session summary: This forward-looking session explored what’s next for community energy. Our panel discussed the new models that are developing in the community energy sector and what opportunities these bring for communities in Scotland.
- Fraser Stewart, Regen
- Zoe Holliday, Community Energy Scotland
- Andrew Morton, Local Energy Scotland
Session 5 – Delivering solar partnerships and how communities and the public sector can work together
Session summary: Learn about how community and local authority partnerships work in practice to deliver win-win solar projects. This session discussed the partnerships, roles and responsibilities that have made this a successful model.
Speakers:
- Jenny Allan, Edinburgh Community Solar Co-Op
- Jessica Hogan, Regen
Session 6 – Repowering wind farms – an opportunity for communities
Session summary: Forestry and Land Scotland are piloting an opportunity for community organisations to develop renewable energy projects on public land when sites come up for repowering. Find out more about this opportunity and the support that’s available to go through the process.
- Rebecca Carr, Forestry and Land Scotland
- Douglas Tollemache, Scottish Government
- Chris Morris, Local Energy Scotland
Session 7 – Developing, delivering, and maintaining a sustainable community or faith building
Session summary: Explore how to plan out your project to decarbonise your community or faith building. From top tips to writing your application through to maintaining your heat pumps, PV and batteries and to get the most out of your new system and maximise your income.
Speakers:
- Richard Brittain, Local Energy Scotland
- Rachel Yule, Local Energy Scotland
Session 8 – Community engagement for shared ownership
Session summary: Good community engagement is key to community shared ownership projects. Listening to concerns and communicating in an open and honest way can help to navigate challenges and bring the community with you. This session brought together those that have been through the process to share learning.
Speakers:
- Speaker: Mark Brennan, Local Energy Scotland
- Speaker: Suzy Mercer, Foundation Scotland