CoRE (Community Renewable Energy Project)
Community and Renewable Energy Support
Background
The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) delivers funding, resources and support for community groups to install renewable energy generation. Applications to the Community Buildings Fund are due to open in spring 2025.
The CoRE project is now able to support eligible community groups throughout the application process, making it easier to meet the CARES requirements and enabling more groups to proceed with community and renewable energy measures.
How can CoRE help?
Through CoRE, we can cover the cost of an energy options appraisal by an independent energy consultancy. This can then be used to support your application to CARES and understand where investment will be most effective.
Once the report for your building is available, we can help direct you to suitable installation contractors when seeking quotes for work as part of the CARES application.
In addition, CoRE can provide a capital grant to subsidise the cost of works. This will help groups to meet the CARES requirement to match fund 20% of the total cost of works. This grant can only be paid to support costs deemed eligible in the CARES guidance.
Application Process
If you would like CoRE to help your community group develop an application to CARES please complete the registration form at the end of this page.
We also suggest reading the Local Energy Scotland CARES information. Broadly, the application process is as follows:
- Read the guidance at CARES Community Buildings Fund Guidance (external link to Local Energy Scotland).
- Fill out an expression of interest form on the CARES project portal by clicking the ‘Begin a new project’ button.
- If you’re eligible, LES (Local Energy Scotland) will send you a link and you can start your application.
- Provide evidence for your technology choices.
- Seek quote(s).
- Submit your application to LES along with your preferred supplier quotation(s).
What are the benefits of CoRE Support?
Energy appraisals can help identify where to start in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions of your building. The assessment report can also be used for longer term planning for your community group's building.
Through the CoRE project we are also able to help groups find local installation contractors
Why is EAC supporting this?
Supporting community groups in accessing CARES funding aligns with the following CoRE project aims:
- Make places which benefit community’s health & well-being.
- Make homes and buildings sustainable and comfortable for people to live and work.
Buildings such as community centres and village halls are focal points for the community, and hold cultural and place value. Facilitating the installation of renewable energy and low carbon measures will help to reduce the buildings energy bills, enabling a sustainable long-term future for the community building. Energy emissions from buildings account for 46% of our total carbon footprint in East Ayrshire, supporting community groups to decarbonise their buildings will help to cut these emissions and support the aims of our LHEES (Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy).
More Information
If you have any questions please contact us at CoRE@east-ayrshire.gov.uk