CES members in front of a community wind turbine

Empowering communities. Shaping the future

Community Energy Scotland helps our members’ communities participate in and promote understanding of the equitable benefits of the energy system, by supporting  project development through capacity building and technical advice.

Your Voice
Networking & Insights
Community Energy Consultation

What we do

Community Energy Scotland is a member-led, independent organisation providing practical & technical support for community project development. We work in partnership with community groups and others who share our values, building their understanding and capacity to create more democratic, sustainable and low carbon solutions.

By enabling our members to link up and network with each other, we also create insightful opportunities within the community energy sector. And as the collective voice of community groups looking to develop and maintain low carbon solutions, we represent our members at government and regulatory levels.

What’s happening? And dates for your diary

Energy Learning Network

We are part of the Energy Learning Network, a UK-wide support programme powering forward community energy projects helping more groups launch or grow schemes that decarbonise the grid, create local resilience, help reduce energy bills, and create meaningful benefits for local people. Funded by The National Lottery.

Find out more in the link

Energy Learning Network

We help communities maximise local engagement and create solutions for the best possible outcomes. We also cultivate networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, whilst working in the background promoting the community energy voice which is backed by evidence from our members.

Get in touch to discuss how we might be able to support you info@communityenergy.scot

Heart of volunteer spirit, Concept of volunteering community charity social work

Your Voice

The national independent voice on community energy in Scotland, representing our members and their needs.

Your Voice
United people of different nationalities as one community

Networking & Insights

Our values for community capacity building mean we provide networking services for members and insightful resources.

Networking & Insights

Consultancy

Practical and technical support for your organisation or community-led business to realise its low carbon ambitions and increase community resilience.

Consultancy

Free membership to our network!

Discover opportunities to help support your community energy and decarbonisation plans. Receive regular updates on our work with members in our member bulletins and stay in touch with the wider community energy network through our interconnections.

  • Access to the Members’ Bulletin
  • Partnerships supporting your projects & innovations
  • Our strong voice representing yours
  • Discounted access to CES conferences & selected events
  • A listing on our online Members’ Directory
  • Free advertising for vacancies & volunteers
Free Sign-up

Testimonials

In the early 2000’s the thought of a community group installing a large wind turbine seemed extremely ambitious. Eight years later, we had our first 900kW turbine generating clean green energy and providing us with an income. We only achieved it with the constant help and advice of Community Energy Scotland. Their staff understood renewable energy and also, importantly, understood communities. It was the best development support any community could get. Another two turbines followed in just over a year and ensured that our community owned estate had a core income for the years ahead. CES local staff were always at our side through the journey and always able to call on skilled colleagues for specialist knowledge. The team worked very well together. Without them we would not have overcome the many challenges. CES gave us the confidence and knowledge to continue and complete our turbine development – the income from renewable energy that followed, gave us the confidence and means to support our community, and they still are supporting us.

Carola Bell
Galston Trust, Isle of Lewis

As a charity, we were extremely grateful for the support, guidance and help given to us by Community Energy Scotland.

Bill McDiarmid
Vale of Leven Baptist Church

We couldn’t have developed our 9 MW wind farm without the help of CES and 8 years later it remains indispensable to us for advice and support on everything to do with community energy.

Calum MacDonald
Point and Sandwick, Isle of Lewis

As an organisation we are very grateful to Community Energy Scotland for their invaluable assistance with our project.

Sheila Campbell
Eckford Village Hall Trust, Scottish Borders

Community Energy Scotland has offered comprehensive support throughout our CNI Project journey. CES’s knowledge and previous experience in project development have assisted us in taking forward a range of initiatives that are benefiting the community of Barra & Vatersay. We are thankful for their assistance and recommend membership to other community groups!

Rosie MacLeod
Voluntary Action Barra & Vatersay

Having the support of Community Energy Scotland has has been a massive help in delivering projects here on Raasay as part of the CNI project. Particularly helpful has been having access to their knowledge base and project support.

Tom Lusink
Raasay Development Trust
Small tree planted in light bulb on coin with nature background. Saving energy and eco concept.

Community Energy ‘State of the Sector’ overview: Supporting the voice of community energy in Scotland and the UK.

Open overview
  • Community Group Members 459
  • Community Projects Supported 1500
  • Community Owned Energy Capacity 113 MW (Scotland)
  • The Fishermen Three Co-owned Windfarm Generation 161,540 MWh
  • The Fishermen Three Carbon Savings 26,970 tonnes