Community investment in commercial energy projects has the potential for far-reaching and positive impacts. This research has demonstrated that there is much interest in, and enthusiasm for, increasing community investment in commercial energy projects in Scotland.
The report presents an analysis of the factors which support and limit the ability of communities to invest in commercial renewable energy schemes, and makes recommendations for action based on domestic and international evidence. It concludes that there is significant potential for increased community investment in commercial energy schemes, given the appropriate support, funding and advice.
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This report looks at developers’ community engagement practices across a range of wind farm developments in the UK and the rest of Europe.
It concludes that important factors in community engagement are:
- wide-ranging and innovative methods of engagement;
- methods which facilitate dialogue (rather than just transmitting information);
- instances where action is taken on the basis of responses gathered;
- measures to keep engagement going through all stages including approval and construction;
- using a wide ranging definition of an ‘affected’ public; and
- identifying and implementing tangible benefits.
It makes recommendations for how best practice guidance on community engagement should evolve.