Over 150 delegates are expected to attend Scotland's foremost Community Energy Conference which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 26/27 August at Stirling University.

The audience will include representatives from local community groups across Scotland who are interested in joining the increasing numbers of communities benefiting from their own renewable energy installations.

The first day of the conference is funded by, and will be focussed on, the Communities And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) from the Scottish Government. CARES replaced the previous Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) in April this year, boosting the maximum grant levels by 50%.

Marion O'Hara, Company Secretary with the national charity Community Energy Scotland which runs CARES said: "This event is about inviting folk to come and hear what other communities are currently doing.


"There are now greater opportunities for more communities to get involved thanks to the Scottish Government's CARES initiative."

The conference will feature a range of speakers talking about the projects they have taken forward. Woodfuel, wind and solar energy will all be covered.

Alan Hobbett, Chair of Community Energy Scotland will lead the two day conference.

Alan said: "There are three essential elements to this conference. Local groups who have already undertaken projects will make presentations about what they have achieved and how.

"Secondly, sessions on different renewable energy technologies and energy issues will be led by experienced speakers.

"Finally, we want to find out more about the hopes of new groups, especially from central and southern Scotland, and how we can help them get involved in energy projects for the first time."

Sue Kearns, Head of Renewables Strategy and Onshore Renewables for the Scottish Government will speak on the first day.

She will outline the Scottish Government's vision and routemap for reaching the targets it is setting in its Renewables Action Plan, within which Community Renewables has a key role to play, and will be keen to receive feedback from the audience.

Nicholas Gubbins Chief Executive Officer at Community Energy Scotland added: "There are major benefits to communities.

"Whether it's a wind turbine to generate cash for a community group or a local organisation that needs to heat a building sustainably or cheaply, we have examples to learn from and help we can offer."

(GK/BMcc)