Scottish Communities are now able to apply for new funding for clean community energy.
The funding will target local clean energy projects, such as community-led onshore wind, solar on rooftops and hydropower in rivers.
The expanded Scottish Government fund, which includes £4 million from Great British Energy, is part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).
Since it began, CARES has advised over 1,300 organisations and provided over £67 million in funding to communities throughout Scotland, supporting over 990 projects.
Great British Energy is the government’s publicly-owned clean power company.
Applications are now open and successful applicants will also be able to earn money from their projects by, for example, allowing them to sell excess energy generated.
Scottish deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition.
“This funding, for stand-alone generation projects, responds to the needs of local groups - has the potential to lever in significant funds for communities. It will also play a key role in our delivery of a just transition – supporting a greener, fairer future for Scots.
“It is also welcome that Great British Energy recognise the valuable role that communities play in our green transition and have provided support for the fund – helping to significantly increase the amount of support available to communities – and providing a catalyst for growth within the community energy sector.
“We will continue to work with our partners to grow the community energy sector to ensure that the delivery of renewable energy comes with benefits for people in Scotland, as well as supporting progress towards net zero.”
Minister for energy Michael Shanks said: "This is our clean energy superpower mission in action – putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation and making sure people profit.
"Great British Energy wants to kickstart a community energy revolution, empowering our towns and villages to become mini energy producers and reinvest profits back into the local community."
