The Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) is a scheme set up by the Scottish Government. SCHRI provides grants and expert advice on small scale renewable projects, such as the installation of solar panels and wind turbines at community centres, schools and individual households. The 'community' strand of the SCHRI scheme is delivered in the Highlands and Islands by the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company and has funded an extremely varied range and size of projects since the launch of SCHRI in December 2002.
There is considerable potential for community-based renewable energy projects in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands; a favourable political and policy climate – and many groups who are interested in developing such projects. What had been missing was a specialist resource working to realise this potential by promoting community renewables, providing expertise and developing networks to drive things forwards and bringing interested parties, expertise and funders together to develop and implement projects. This niche is now filled by the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company.
Find out more about the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative on the Energy Saving Trust website.