MPs explore Scotland’s community-owned energy sector and community benefits schemes
The Scottish Affairs Committee will hold the next evidence session of its inquiry into GB Energy and the net zero transition, exploring community-owned renewable energy projects in Scotland and community benefits schemes.
Meeting details
In the first panel, the cross-party committee will question Community Energy Scotland and two community energy projects - Galson Estate Trust and Wallacetown Community Energy Project - on community energy in Scotland. These projects involve local people working together to buy, manage, generate or reduce energy consumption in a specific area.
MPs will likely ask about the state of Scotland’s community energy sector, the barriers faced by community energy groups, and Great British Energy’s proposed role. Other questions may focus on issues around grid connection and the planning system in Scotland.
In the second panel, the committee will hear from SSEN Transmission, the Highlands Council, Nadara and ALIEnergy on shared ownership models, where communities have a stake in energy developments alongside private developers, and community benefits schemes, which are packages of financial payments made by infrastructure developers to local communities who may be impacted.
Members may explore the UK Government’s proposals for a mandatory community benefits scheme, appropriate levels of compensation and whether shared ownership or community benefits deliver better outcomes for local communities.