Community benefits from net zero energy developments

Overview

This consultation is part of a review of the Good Practice Principles for onshore and offshore renewable energy, which seeks to ensure that our guidance helps communities and developers get the best from community benefits.

Community benefits are additional benefits, that are currently voluntary, which developers provide to the “community”, and which sit independently of the planning and consenting system. They provide an opportunity to share in the benefits of the energy resource and can have lasting social and economic impacts. Community benefits schemes are a well-established, integral part of renewable energy developments in Scotland, fostering a positive relationship between renewable energy businesses and local communities. These schemes saw over £30 million offered by renewables developers in community benefits in the last 12 months.

Since the publication of the updated Good Practice Principles for onshore renewables in 2019, Scotland’s – and the global – energy system and policy landscape have evolved significantly. Changes in domestic and international markets, regulation, and the emergence of technologies such as battery energy storage and hydrogen electrolysers are shaping our future energy mix and will influence how we can maximise the benefits flowing into our communities.

The first Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Offshore Renewable Energy Developments were published in 2015 and were intended to apply to developers in the offshore wind industry, noting that other offshore renewable sectors such as wave and tidal stream are at an earlier stage of development. Since then, some projects in Scotland have created community benefit funds. However, the approach has not been wholly consistent across developments. In recognition of the evolving sectoral landscape, we committed to reviewing and updating the offshore Good Practice Principles. We expect that the refreshed Good Practice Principles will continue to be of interest to other offshore renewable sectors as they develop.

We recognise that renewable technologies are at different stages of maturity, existing in distinct physical, operational, and commercial environments. There is a need to support the growth of industry and ensure the substantial supply chain and workforce benefits are captured here in Scotland, whilst recognising the role that coastal, fishing, island, rural, and in some cases urban communities play in hosting projects, and the electricity network infrastructure required to connect them. There is an opportunity to ensure renewables play a role in securing a just transition to net zero.

Please read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.

Why your views matter

Through this public consultation, the Scottish Government is seeking the views of all those with an interest in the social and economic benefits of renewable energy development for people and communities in Scotland. Specifically, it seeks views on community benefits from onshore technologies, such as onshore wind, solar, hydrogen and storage and community benefits from offshore technologies, such as offshore wind.

Alongside the online consultation, the Scottish Government will be engaging with key stakeholders, including communities, industry, and the public and third sectors to build as broad a picture as possible of the potential opportunities – and limits – of community benefits from renewable energy. The Scottish Government has commissioned research on the provision of community benefits across different renewable energy technologies.

Together, the information and views gathered across this work will inform a refresh of our onshore and offshore Good Practice Principles in the latter part of 2025.