Community benefits are voluntary packages of benefits (often in the form of funds) that renewable energy businesses provide to support communities and offer an opportunity for communities to work with renewable energy businesses for the long-term benefit of the community.
The Scottish government currently recommends £5000 per generated mega
watt in Community Benefit Funds as good practice – there are many conversations being had locally and at different levels of government that this ‘recommendation’ needs to be modernised, especially in the context of rising energy prices and the very high charges for energy in the
Highlands.
DCT was established prior to the establishment of that good practice guideline so has received £3000 per megawatt since its conception. Community Benefit Funds are different to the commercial income generated by shared ownership of large-scale projects or community owned energy projects.