Last chance for Highlanders to make their views known on community benefit from green energy as MP Angus MacDonald says billions lost to foreign-owned companies
MP Angus MacDonald has urged people to take their last chance to make their views known on community benefit and shared ownership of renewable energy developments.
The UK government is seeking views to consider as part of proposals for mandatory community benefit from energy giants, as well as options for community shared ownership schemes.
The consultation closes later today with the MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, calling on fellow MPs, MSPs and others to respond to it.
The idea is that areas that host new energy infrastructure would see some benefit from such developments – that could include cutting bills or providing local services.
Since his election last year, Mr MacDonald has been campaigning hard on delivering a minimum five per cent of revenue from projects to be paid as community benefit.
That has seen him lead a debate in the UK parliament, proposing amendments to the Great British Energy Bill and passing a motion at Scottish Liberal Democrat conference in Inverness.
The idea is that areas that host new energy infrastructure would see some benefit from such developments – that could include cutting bills or providing local services.
Mr MacDonald also wants communities to have the right to own a share of renewable projects, saying that “this is the holy grail”.
Several Hebridean communities have demonstrated how significant these can be to their local population.
In 2023, research by Octopus Energy found that 87 per cent of people would support a wind turbine in their community if it reduced their bills.
Mr MacDonald said: “I was keen to urge as many people as possible to respond to this consultation and make clear their desire to the communities who provide so much of the UK’s renewable energy benefit from their infrastructure being built on their doorsteps.
“Renewables projects are being developed across the Highlands, yet the turbines are made abroad, often owned by overseas utilities firms and little of the billions they generate finds its way into our communities.
“Rural constituents see turbines out of their windows yet pay four times the price for energy than those on mains gas. For them renewable electricity is 24p per kw, yet carbon fuel mains gas is 6p per kw.
“Community benefit schemes are a way for developers to bring communities with them and deliver an energy system that everyone benefits from.
“Liberal Democrats want to ensure that all national infrastructure projects and major energy generation infrastructure—not just transmission—provide minimum levels of community benefit, invested at a local level into community benefit funds for this money to be spent in areas determined by the local communities most affected.
“This is a chance to shape the future whether your constituency is already impacted by energy infrastructure or may be in future, your input will be invaluable.”