1. Scottish Government Good Practice Principles Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments CARES Conference, 8 May 2019, Perth Racecourse

2. Community Benefits – Our View
“Community benefits schemes are a well-established, integral part of renewable energy developments, and often represent a positive relationship between energy businesses and communities.”
We first published our Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits (Onshore) in 2014.

3. Good Practice Principles Review (2018)
In the Scottish Energy Strategy (published 20 December 2017) we gave a commitment to review our suite of Good Practice Principles including for:
Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments
We also said we would do this in the 2014 Community Benefits guidance.

4. Our starting position
Our starting position was that most of the GPP’s remained relevant and valid, so we were not seeking to make a wholesale change.
We wanted to enhance and amend documents to take into account current and future investment conditions and to better reflect lessons learned.

5. What we did?
We set up a Steering Group to help govern the Review process.
We held a series of stakeholder workshops to gather views and evidence.
We considered the feedback received.
We launched a public consultation on the revised guidance on 30 Nov
We held consultation workshops with stakeholders.
Our consultation closed on 31 Jan 2019, and we analysed the responses.
We published revised guidance on 8 May 2019.

6. What’s different?
Continue to promote national level equivalent to £5k per installed MW pa, index linked for lifetime of project
Recognise wider more flexible packages of benefits may be offered – not necessarily based on a rate per MW
Greater focus on creating a lasting legacy for communities – irrespective of type of benefits package
As well as emphasising value of a well developed community action plan outlining communities goals and aspirations

7. Main Point to Remember
The Team at Local Energy Scotland are here to provide advice and support

8. Legacy…. What do we understand by legacy in context of CB funds?
Where do we see legacy happening?

10. Nurturing Legacy Create an enabling, encouraging climate
Be inclusive and accessible
Take a developmental approach
Plan - but also seize opportunities
Take risks (within reason)
Fund good quality Development Officers
Review