Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES)
Supporting communities with renewable energy projects
The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) helps communities engage with, participate in, and benefit from Scotland’s transition to net zero.
Since it began, CARES has:
- Advised 2,000 different organisations
- Provided over £83 million in funding
- Funded more than 1,200 projects
- Supported the installation of 75MW of renewable energy
Get support for your community project
CARES can help you deliver a renewable energy project in your community. The team offers:
- Support at every stage, from pre-application to project completion
- Project appraisals and reviews
- Claims processing
- Webinars, workshops and events
- Liaison with Scottish Government and partner ogranisations
- Ongoing, in-depth support from Local Development Officers and Shared Ownership and Energy Specialists.
Community energy project funding
There are currently two funds available through CARES:
Community Buildings Fund
This supports community organisations to lower their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy systems.
The fund provides advice and grants for:
- Heat pumps
- Solar PV + Battery Storage
- HeatNetwork Connection
- Solar Water Heating
- Simple fabric measures
Community Energy Generation Growth Fund
This supports organisations to develop community renewable energy projects.
The fund provides advice, grants and loans for:
- Onshore wind turbines
- Solar PV
- Hydroelectric power
Successful community energy projects
Below you’ll find examples of projects that CARES supported throughout the 2025/26 financial year.
Cromarty cinema
The project improved the energy self-sufficiency of Cromarty’s volunteer-run community cinema.
Installation of 16.2kWp solar PV and 13.5kWh battery storage means the cinema is now 90-100% self-powered, reducing running costs by several pounds a day.
A CARES grant funded 80% of the total project cost.
Border Ice Rink Trust
The Border Ice Rink provides the community with facilities for curling, ice-skating, roller skating, pickleball and hockey. Having opened in 1964, its poor energy efficiency meant 60% of income was being spent on energy costs.
Installation of a solar PV system, battery storage, and two air source heat pumps has delivered a huge reduction in electricity costs.
The project received almost £90,000 grant funding for the solar PV and battery storage, plus over £40,000 for the heat pumps.
Skye Camanachd Shinty Club
A community sports club on the Isle of Skye wanted to update its outdated and costly electric heating and how water systems.
The installation of two heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage has improved comfort and reduced running costs.
The project received over £70,000 in CARES funding.
Mallaig and Morar Community Centre
The 25-year old community centre had outdated, expensive and ineffective heating and hot water systems.
The installation of 44kWp solar PV and 23kWh battery storage, completed as part of a larger energy efficiency project, has provided more efficient and controllable heating for the centre.
Caithness Mental Health Support Group
The Haven centre is over 25 years old and previously relied on inefficient electric storage heaters.
The installation of an air source heat pump, solar panels and battery storage has improved overall comfort, has reduced energy bills and lowered environmental impact.
The project received almost £35,000 in CARES funding.
Get support from CARES
If your community has a renewable energy project they’re looking to get off the ground, why not see how CARES can support you?
CARES is managed by our colleagues at Local Energy Scotland. You can contact one of their local development officers at the link below.
CARES is managed by Local Energy Scotland, a consortium made up of Changeworks, Energy Saving Trust, The Energy Agency and SCARF.
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