A new programme to help communities and social enterprises generate income by investing in commercially owned renewable energy developments has been launched as part of Community Energy Fortnight.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has introduced the programme to deliver one to one support, tailored development workshops and specialist support to raise awareness of, and accelerate, the completion of investment opportunities.
The programme, entitled HI-SHARES, will work in partnership with the Scottish Government CARES programme which exists to support communities with renewable energy developments and work closely with sector stakeholders, HIE’s press release reads.
Melanie MacRae, HIE’s Senior Development Manager for HI-SHARES, said: “We recognise that some communities might not want to take on the development of a renewable energy project single handed. Investment in shared ownership is an innovative alternative model to enable communities to generate a sustainable income from renewables.
“The service will work closely with our existing community organisation clients while also having a focus on our fragile and employment action areas to ensure maximum benefit for the region.”
Image: Pelamis Wave Power/Illustration