The Community Energy Growth Fund supports community-owned projects that generate, store or make better use of renewable electricity.

Your project must include one or more of the following:

1. New renewable electricity generation

A new community-owned renewable electricity generation project delivering 100 kW or greater of installed generation capacity. The capacity requirement may be met through a single installation, multiple installations across different sites, a combination of renewable technologies, or the expansion of a project previously supported through the Fund.

2. New energy storage

A new energy storage project with a capacity of 100 kWh or greater, where the storage provides wider grid or energy system services.

3. Enhancements to existing community energy projects

The addition of energy storage, demand flexibility, or both, to an existing or new community-owned renewable electricity generation project. The total installed generation capacity must be 100kW or greater.

Eligible technologies

Projects must use established, proven technologies. Funding is not available for technology research and development.

Examples of eligible technologies include:

• Solar PV
• Onshore wind
• Hydropower
• Battery storage
• Demand flexibility and local supply arrangements that improve the performance, value or viability of renewable generation projects

Eligible uses of generated electricity

Projects can:

• Export electricity to the national grid.
• Supply electricity directly to a local energy user with sufficient demand.
• Meet the electricity needs of a building or site.

Additional considerations

Projects powering your building: Projects that serve buildings with decarbonised heating are preferred. However, where your building has not yet decarbonised its heating, applications may still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants in these circumstances must provide half-hourly electricity consumption data demonstrating sufficient daytime demand and a credible plan to decarbonise the building’s heating.

Combined projects: Projects can combine renewable generation, energy storage and demand flexibility technologies. However, energy storage cannot be counted towards the minimum 100 kW generation capacity requirement.

Repowering projects: Support may also be available for the feasibility, development and construction costs associated with repowering an existing renewable energy project.

Projects below the 100 kW generation requirement: Projects are normally expected to meet the 100 kW generation requirement. However, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for certain types of project, including:

• Solar PV installations on third-party buildings.
• Smaller wind developments.
• Smaller hydro developments.

Applicants must demonstrate significant and lasting community benefit, clearly explaining the benefits the project will deliver and how project income will be used to create long-term community impact.

• Complete your Organisation Fund Eligibility Check in the CARES Project Portal as early as possible. You must complete the eligibility checks and submit the required documents at least one week before submitting your full application.
• The closing date for full applications is noon 14 September 2026.
• Eligible applications will be assessed through a competitive panel process. Funding decisions will be confirmed once overall programme funding and approval to award new funds has been received from the Scottish Government.
• Approved projects must complete their funded activities and submit all funding claims by 15 March 2027. We encourage applicants to start projects and submit claims as early as possible to allow for any unforeseen delays.
• Most renewable energy projects take several years to develop and deliver. You may apply for further CARES funding in future phases of your project, but future funding cannot be guaranteed and any new application will be assessed on its own merits.

Important

Funding is not formally committed until you have received, signed and returned a Grant Offer Letter.