This year’s online CARES Conference takes place on Wednesday 29th September, 9:15am – 4pm.
Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is managed by Local Energy Scotland (a consortium made up of Energy Saving Trust, Changeworks, The Energy Agency, SCARF and The Wise Group), with support for delivery from Ricardo Energy & Environment and QMPF.
They work to help communities and rural businesses with:
- free advice and support to develop renewable energy schemes, or to secure and manage income from renewables
- advice on funding streams
- support to access CARES funding
- support to access the Energy Investment Fund (post-consent loans)
CARES aims to accelerate progress towards Scottish Government’s target of 2GW of renewable energy to be locally or community owned by 2030, and to assist with delivering Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy through the provision of loan finance, grant funding and specialist advice.
“CARES Conference 2021: Community Action to Net Zero” looks at what communities have been doing to tackle the climate crisis through their involvement in renewable energy projects, how these are benefitting local communities, and how communities can transition to net zero with CARES’ support.
Keynote speaker Michael Matheson MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport) will open the event, which will also feature a range of focus sessions, including:
- net zero community buildings
- off-grid places and remote islands
- turning community benefits into net zero action
- shared ownership
- decarbonising heat
- building community capacity to take on net zero projects
- developing new renewable electricity projects
- CARES funding and support
The day’s draft agenda, along with details of each focus session, is available via the CARES Conference page.
The CARES conference is free to attend, and aimed at community organisations that are involved in, or are looking to start, their own renewable energy projects. (Organisations in the renewable energy sector that support communities to help make this happen are also invited to attend.) However, while the event is free, booking is essential, as capacity is limited.
To book your place, or for further information, please visit the Local Energy Scotland online ticket shop.
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