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Annual Review 2013 14 Empowering Message from communities our Chair

Community Energy can report another year of success for our organisation and many of our 400 member groups. This has been the most challenging in terms of redefining our role and organising the work which our charity undertakes.

We are very pleased that the Scottish this year. It joins an impressive list of installations Government’s Community and Renewable large and small which produce power for the Energy Scheme (CARES) is continuing, although benefit of the communities who have developed we were unsuccessful in winning a new contract them. All of these projects have benefited from to deliver it, as it is a vital starting point for the support of Community Energy Scotland over many communities to take advantage of their the years. renewable energy resources. Whilst we never lose sight of the benefits to We identified four key areas for the development Scotland and the world of renewable energy, of our work: Innovation, through the the local benefits are worth emphasising. The development of the Local Energy Economies Community Energy movement in Scotland has concept; Membership Engagement and shown that communities with renewables benefit Representation – to ensure that the community not just from cash, but even more from increasing energy voice is heard in policy and decision- confidence, resilience and self-sufficiency. making circles; Consultancy Services, providing Finally, I wish to thank our 400 community support to community and commercial energy members for their continuing support and developments; and Community Energy for the valuable contribution of our Associate International activities, with a special focus Members and partners in projects at home and on Malawi. We also continued to support the abroad. I continue to be inspired by the capacity development of projects through our trading of communities to take forward new projects subsidiary CEST. Photos from top to bottom: and to build on existing ones, and would like David Wright, Horshader Community This year we have seen many more community to extend an invitation for you to all to join Development energy projects come to fruition, some of which us for our annual conference in Edinburgh in communtiy garden needed a sustained effort from our members, November 2014. St Mary’s Kirk playgroup, , volunteers and staff. On a personal level I’ve Carola Bell Storas Uibhist community-owned turbine been closely involved in a community wind Chair of Community Energy Scotland Gigha turbines project on the community-owned Galson Estate, Knoydart hydro turbine house a 900kW turbine which commenced generating Knoydart hydro pipeline Gigha’s 4th turbine delivery Gigha tubines

Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 03 Marty Fox, Solar & Wind Applications; Benny Talbot, Community Energy Scotland; Barry Edmondson, Message from our It’s all Abernethy Trust; Lachlan Innes, Innes Plumbers Chief Executive about strong and James Campbell, Maintenance Engineer, Abernethy partnerships Outdoor Centre.

In this year we experienced the reality of heavy Our membership steadily increased from 284 ...with communities Working with Abernethy Trust on a dependence on public service contract delivery, to 400 and we were beginning to pick up a ‘Hydro2Heat’ project we explored ways By the end of the year we had established a when we were unsuccessful in our bid to deliver number of consultancy contracts too. We were of storing the ‘surplus’ electricity from their number of new partnerships with community 90kW hydro for use on site, to help reduce the next round of the Scottish Government’s regularly pressing community requirements with groups across Scotland, providing technical their fossil fuel use and save on operational Community and Renewable Energy Scheme. DECC, OFGEM, Scottish Government, SSE, expertise and advice on different aspects of the costs for their Outdoor Education Centre. This was a painful experience for all in Scottish Power and a wide range of other key rapidly evolving and highly innovative field of Community Energy Scotland. We lost a number policy players. local energy use. We have supported community We’re attempting something groups with renewable energy technologies and of long-standing colleagues. However, I’m new here, not done elsewhere We’ve been working out in Malawi on a energy efficiency, helping with securing funding, pleased to say that all of them were successfully community energy development project management, community consultation in the UK. Throughout this transferred to the new service provider, Local programme funded through The Scottish and engagement, managing consultants and process Community Energy Energy Scotland, and are continuing to help Government’s Malawi Development Fund. This financial management. Scotland has provided communities deliver renewable energy projects. is part of the wider Malawi Renewable Energy On the Isle of Gigha we partnered Gigha invaluable support specific We were determined to move on rapidly, stay Acceleration Programme led by the University of Renewable Energy in an innovative energy storage project in order to to our project. true to our charitable purpose of community Strathclyde. Over 90% of the population in Malawi maximise the available generation from development through sustainable energy have no access to grid electricity. Decentralised their turbines. Barry Edmundson development and learn from our experience to renewable energy is a very important development Abernethy Trust On Orkney we were involved in a Demand become stronger and more effective. By the end solution and the need to build community Side Management project; developing new of the year, we had a new business plan and capacity to develop, own and maintain their own Grid-smart electric heating and electric ...with development agencies and had re-organised to deliver 4 priorities: energy projects is pressing. We were delighted vehicle charging control systems which will Local Authorities Building our membership and that the Scottish Government agreed to extend can activate to help the local grid and keep We were also delighted to have established a community wind turbines operational. representational role; the programme for a further year, to allow the new partnership with Highlands and Islands development of a new Malawian organisation – Also in Orkney, we worked with the Eday Enterprise designed to put in place the Driving the development of ‘Local Energy Community Energy Malawi. Partnership to establish ways to switch foundations for a larger-scale Local Energy Economies’ (see diagram on page 7) – intelligently and use their electricity locally Economies* programme in the Highlands developing ways of using locally generated Nicholas Gubbins when they could not export to the local grid. and Islands, more details below. energy locally to maximise its value to a Chief Executive We jointly partnered with a number of With Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Local community and overcome grid constraints; Community Energy Scotland communities in to try to find innovative Authority in the Western Isles, we explored Developing consultancy services to assist solutions to allow viable grid connections the creation of a Energy and overcome local and regional grid Supply Company to facilitate the supply development of community and other constraints. of affordable local electricity to local projects; and In partnership with Community householders and businesses. Transferring the knowledge we have gained Company we helped develop models We supported Dumfries & to developing countries, especially Malawi. for community-owned electricity Council to develop their Sustainable networks, focused on heat supply for Energy Action Plan and held a series combating fuel poverty. of community workshops covering energy efficiency and renewable energy. Nicholas with the community at Ntchisi 04 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 District, Malawi Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 05 Flensburg students at Applecross Connecting communities, generation and demand

We worked with Highlands & Islands ... with commercial suppliers We’re working through the issues for design studies for local supply and private Enterprise and LEADER Innse Gall to carry wire systems, linked to locally-owned renewable out energy audits, energy efficiency We worked with and shared data with several Several of the issues we faced in our work this projects We also carried out energy audits improvements and micro-renewables commercial suppliers of innovative products year arose through the challenges that some looking at local energy use and transition installations on around 60 community and services to ensure that communities are able community groups face connecting to their from fossil fuels. We assisted installation of facilities across the Western Isles, as well to benefit fromnew technology solutions. local distribution grid, particularly in Orkney. The electric vehicles in island locations to find as providing grants for renewable energy full potential of Orkney’s renewable resources out whether local energy demand levels could feasibility studies. ....with universities remains limited by a lack of available grid match the levels of curtailment (constrained capacity, whilst fuel poverty levels remain output) on their community–owned turbines. Technical support from Through our 10-year partnership with among the highest in the UK. We have focused Community Energy Scotland Flensburg University in Germany we bring our work here on finding ways in which local international MSc renewable energy students renewable energy can be substituted for fossil helped us determine whether to carry out valuable research in host fuels currently used for heating and transport – Electric car our hydro scheme was viable. communities in Scotland. This year the and in doing so allow community wind farms to on island of We’re now on our way to students visited Applecross in sell more power. Rousay, where the community are developing a Orkney getting planning for our hydro project. The students explored low We’re finding innovative solutions 50kW hydro scheme. carbon transport, energy use in local homes and the potential for using wood fuel locally, A growing theme for us this year has been David Wake helping the community identify options. increasing activity in finding innovative ways to North Harris Trust Through our partnership with University maximise local benefit. This includes support ...with power networks of Strathclyde in Knowledge Transfer , we have been developing Partnership Local Energy Economy Concept We also began a new programme in partnership a decision-making tool to guide with Scottish Power Energy Networks in the communities through innovative options for focussed on innovation to using constrained energy. This Partnership Accelerate Renewables Connections has recently been awarded a Very Good Cash flow (‘ARC’), funded through OFGEM’s Low Carbon grade by a panel of Independent Assessors. Network Fund. The project aims to develop an Active Network Management solution to the Applecross was more than current high level of grid constraint – which is people who happen to live in preventing new projects the same place, it’s a family from connecting to the grid. Part of this will where each member cares involve developing ways about the other and these Energy Energy Energy to use more locally feelings extend to their land H generated power locally. 2 and their resources. Andy Maybury, ARC Local generation Local supply Local demand National Grid Officer, Community Maria Mercedes Vanegas Cantarero Energy Scotland Renewble Energy Student Nicaragua Local Finance (community ownership)

06 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 07 Meeting at Stormont, Patsy McGlone MLA Chair, We’re connecting Energised Committee for Enterprise Communities across Scotland Trade and Investment; Steven Watson Community We worked with local community partners to Energy Scotland and ensure that our impact is maximised and to Will Dawson, Community ensure that communities across Scotland can Energy Coalition realise their full economic potential. Through our Nicholas Gubbins, Community Membership Network we help to connect The fuel efficient cook stove producer group in Energy Scotland CEO meeting communities developing similar projects and Dowa District, Central Malawi, with their first Energy Minister Fergus Ewing encourage communities to work together, batch of stoves. This group has been trained such as the turbine developers in the Western and supported by the Community Energy Scotland We were invited to address the Isles and Orkney. Sharing experience and led CEDP to produce the stoves which they will Members of the Northern Ireland Community Energy Scotland’s role at knowledge has resulted in several community- sell at a small profit to generate an income for Legislative Assembly at Stormont. the centre of Community Energy led turbine projects in the Western Isles the community. Through our Local Energy Economy work, we Development in Scotland reaching construction stage this year and now were also able to contribute significantly to generating, see pages 10/11. light and electricity to pupils and teachers and solar powered water pumping projects to the scope and design of a new Low Carbon enable pupils to get fresh water at breaktimes. Infrastructure Transition Programme Research & innovation We’re leading the drive for within the next round of EU Structural Funds Innovation in Community Energy Through our involvement in Social Enterprises in Community Renewable for Scotland. We hosted a visit to our Dingwall office for UTILITIES AND This year we formed a partnership with Energy (SECRE), a European programme, Membership services NETWORK Highlands and Islands Enterprise to take we contributed more than 40 case studies Scotland’s Energy Minister Fergus Connecting with OPERATORS, UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH Influencing Ewing, as well as a visit by Alistair Carmichael,communities OFGEM & forward work on the concept of creating Local for an international knowledge Consultancy services DECC policy Energy Economies*. We piloted a range of database, providing data on ownership Secretary of State for Scotland. innovative technologies and business models for and financial models for community energy, We continued to sit on and contribute community energy projects. The key drivers for as well as running workshops and input to heavily to Fergus Ewing’s Orkney Grid LOCAL, COMMUNITY SCOTTISH & UK this pilot were: development of regional input-output ‘energy BUSINESS & Steering Committee and technical sub- ENERGY GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCE Restrictions on grid connection for new cashflow’ models. groups helping identify and assess possible SCOTLAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES renewable energy projects; We organised the Scottish National avenues for progress, and responded to SSE’s consultation on the future of High grid connection costs and long lead-in Renewables League Awards and hosted Orkney . times in many Highlands and Islands areas; delegations from south eastern Europe as Electricity Network part of the 100% RES Champions League, We presented at Scottish Renewables SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL Rapidly reducing Feed-in Tariff levels, which COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES sharing skills and knowledge. Distributed Generation working group, Member Knowledge reduced the economic vitality of representation exchange attended by Scotland Energy Minister, & support new projects; We asked the key questions and Fergus Ewing. Rising retail energy costs, leading to campaigned on your behalf We continued to represent community increased levels of fuel and transport poverty, ENERGY energy interests at OFGEM’s Distributed EFFICIENCY particularly in off-gas grid areas; and Community Energy Scotland presents the Generation Forum. LOCAL Need to increase direct benefits to local collective voice of Community Energy for GENERATION We presented at the , the communities. Scotland. Through our grassroots connections WS Society independent lawyer’s association, in with communities we played a vital role in LOCAL Edinburgh. FINANCE We’re sharing our knowledge ensuring that we represent our Members at LOCAL SUPPLY across national boundaries policy level. Our significant policy influence We gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s has led to positive engagement with the Energy, Economy and Tourism

Our community energy development work Department of Energy and Climate Committee at Holyrood. LOCAL LOCAL ENERGY ECONOMIES DEMAND in Malawi assisting local Malawian staff has FUEL Change (DECC) and Ofgem. We responded to European consultation led to funding and installation of over 43 POVERTY We represented Scottish communities on Draft Guidelines on Environmental renewable energy projects across the at DECC’s Community Energy Grid and Energy Aid 2014-20 on Community country. One such example was installing solar working group, on their Community Feed-in Tariff. PV systems into 20 primary schools to provide Energy Contact Group and contributed We were involved in plans for the launch to Ofgem’s Smart Grid Forum. of the Scottish Rural Parliament.

08 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 09 Barra and Vatersay Wind Energy unique beach -landing Jamie Adam Community for their turbine Energy Scotland, Councillor Allan Major Member Henderson, Rab Lees and Ewen MacEwen, milestones this year Isle of Muck

Photo courtesy of John MacLean, Kentangaval, Isle of Barra

Gigha community-owned turbines This year some of our Member groups which we Faith, Hope, Charity and Harmony Barra & Vatersay Wind Energy 900kW Isle of Muck Community Enterprise have supported over a number of years reached turbine installed February 2014 – (6 x 5kW wind turbines and a 33kW landmark stages in the successful installation of supported since 2005. A unique beach PV array) – supported since 2010. their community-owned projects (listed below). Our landing for Barra & Vatersay’s It was very difficult to run a remote team has supported these groups with feasibility community turbine. business from here. However now that studies, planning, community consultation and It has been a long journey but worthwhile we have power 24-hours a day for the first helping to source finance. This has been a major as the local community will benefit from the time ever, it will make a huge difference to accomplishment for these communities, tackling income stream generated over the years island life. I’ll never miss the end of a film and overcoming many major hurdles over a period to come. Project leader Euan Scott again! Jenny MacEwen, island tea room of years. It has not been an easy journey but their and craft shop own determination has made it happen. These Gigha Heritage Trust’s Fourth turbine Tolsta Community Development 900kW projects now bring the total of community- (Harmony) 330kW installed in December turbine installed and generating by Fetterangus Community Association, owned installations supported by Communtiy 2013. This joins the three original 225kW September 2013 – supported since 2005 (800kW) installed December Energy Scotland to around 37MW (27MW of turbines generating power for the We are delighted to announce that the North 2013 – supported since 2006. electricity and 10MW of heat). island community for almost a decade – Tolsta community turbine is now operational. The income from our turbine will provide supported since 2003. It has been a long time in the making – some a regular, sustainable income that will Galson Estate Trust (Urras Oighreachd 8 years in fact! Tolsta Community allow us to fund projects in our village and Ghabhsainn) 900kW wind turbine Turning our natural renewable resources Development Limited provide a legacy for future generations. generating by February 2014 – supported into direct benefits for our island is a great Colin Wood, Fetterangus Community since 2003. win for us and continues our tradition of Association The energising of the first turbine is a great innovation, partnership and community boost to UOG and shows it is delivering spirit. Margaret McSporran, Chair Isle of For those communities now managing their on its ambitions to create a long-term Gigha Heritage Trust own turbines, Community Energy Scotland has continued to provide aftercare, helping the sustainable estate in the north-west of Lewis. Horshader Community Development groups where needed to set up governance We are entering another exciting phase 900kW turbine generating income by processes and providing advice on the of progress for this community and the 2013 – supported since 2004. Trustees are committed to building on this management and distribution of their own We at Horshader cannot praise Community momentum. Agnes Rennie, Chair of UOG locally-generated funds. Energy Scotland enough for all the good work they have done for us as a community Neil Mackinnon over the last few years and they are still by Willie Macsporran at and Lisa our side today. David Wright, Horshader the plough, Isle of Gigha MacLean, Community Development Limited, Shawbost, Heritage Trust turbines Galson Estate Trust Colin Anderson engineer, Kathleen Success at the end of a long road for MacDonald Community Energy Horshader Community Development Scotland, Murdo MacIver Tolsta Community Development and Enercon engineer

10 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 Community Energy Scotland Annual Review 2013-14 11 Contacts

Community Energy Scotland [email protected]

North Office 2b Fodderty Way, Dingwall IV15 9XB 01349 860120

South Office 10 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP 0131 5231301

We also have staff based in Scottish Borders Glasgow Western Isles (Stornoway & Benbecula) Perth and Orkney

The team!

Community Energy Scotland is a Company Limited Front cover photos from top to bottom: by Guarantee with charitable status in Scotland. Sheila Garson, electric vehicle wave Andy Stennet and Clive Brookes,

Community Energy Scotland Eday Renwable Energy Design: 2b Fodderty Way, Dingwall Business Park, Kathleen MacDonald and Rona Mackay, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV15 9XB Community Energy Scotland, David Wright Horshader Community Development Tel 01349 86120 Gigha turbines Email [email protected] Carola Bell at Sporsnis, Isle of Lewis Brian Clegg, Development Trust, Mark www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk Hull Community Energy Scotland and Debbie Sargeant Shapinisay Development Trust Company No. SC333698 Knoydart Forest Trust Scottish Charity No. SC039673 PV on village hall and turbines, Isle of Muck