Renewable Energy Fund Grants

This fund is for capital projects within 10km of a participating renewable energy development. 

There are 42 participating windfarms contributing a total of approximately £2.2m per year for communities in South Lanarkshire. The level of funding available dependents on the proximity to a contributing windfarm and the scale of the windfarm

Capital projects are usually long-term projects to acquire, develop, improve and/or maintain a capital asset such as land, buildings or roads or one off activities.

Revenue cost projects can only be used for a specific project with full cost recovery. Revenue funding including running costs such as salaries, heating, lighting, administration, consumables, and small items of equipment to deliver projects that meet local and REF priorities.

Funding for up to 3 years may be available, subject to project and available funds.

Projects must

• show strong alignment with REF priorities
• demonstrate clear outcomes representing value for money
• deliver against local community action plans if they are present
• create job descriptions for any posts being funded 

Grants available 

The two options are:

Main renewable energy fund - grants over £20,000 up to 75% of total 'eligible' costs dependant on project and available funds, 100% grants may be available in higher funded areas. These grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis. See the guidance on grant scale and application deadlines.

Small grant scheme - grants of less than £20,000 can be funded up to 100% of total 'eligible' costs dependant on available funds for community-based projects.

Eligible projects

Your project must meet at least one of the following themes:

Theme One: Stronger Communities
Theme Two: Prosperous Communities
Theme Three: Healthy and Active Communities
Theme Four: Sustainable Environmental Communities

See Themes and investment priorities for more information.

Projects should be place and community based and require evidence of community support and consultation and involvement within the application. Project applications generated from Community led action plans will link to Theme One Stronger Communities.

The quantity, quality and detail of community consultation and application detail is proportionate to the scale of the grant and project.

Who can apply?

Application for financial assistance for projects within a 10km radius of participating renewable energy developments will be accepted from:

• public organisations and agencies
• partnerships, trusts, co-operatives and other non-government organisations
• community groups, associations or organisations
• any social enterprise or not for profit organisation located, or offering a service benefiting communities, within a 10km radius of participating developments

Applications will be considered from outside the 10km radius if it can be demonstrated that the people who will benefit live inside the eligible area area and theirs is evidence of the community requesting the project or services.

How to apply

If you are interested and think you have a project that fits with the Renewable Energy Fund submit an expression of interest, providing information on your organization project idea and potential costs:

The Renewable Energy fund cannot fund the following: 

• projects that restrict access from an equal opportunities perspective
• projects that do not benefit people living within 10km of a contributing windfarm   
• the advancement of religion or politics (including requests to support the core activities of religious or political groups)
• the repayment of loans or payment of debts        
• costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we have made a decision on an application (retrospective funding)

Background 

The renewable energy fund is money received from renewable energy developments within the South Lanarkshire boundary. They are to be used to help communities affected by them to improve their quality of life and the local economy. Since 2004, we have made grant awards of over £12m from the REF.

We report annually to the Community and Enterprise Committee on the use of all Community Benefit Funds. View the most recent annual reports and appendices.