How and whether Scotland can fulfil its undoubted potential for new forms of power production and energy storage is a question that remains high on the policy agenda. As, indeed, are questions as to who stands to benefit. In the drive for a ‘just transition’ the potential impacts for communities could - and arguably should - be transformative. But the hugely significant financial benefits from Scotland’s natural renewable assets have not been shared fairly. Indeed, in many respects, it could be argued that communities are not at the heart of the ‘renewables revolution’ at all.
A coalition of community sector intermediaries have coalesced to ensure the value of Scotland’s natural resources are distributed far more equitably. They are calling for accelerated growth in the community energy sector; to set a wholly-owned community energy target of 1GW by 2030; address opportunities and challenges arising from mass repowering of existing onshore wind generation; increased uptake of shared ownership opportunities between the private sector and communities; mandate developers to report on community benefits; update good practice principles for community benefit; and the creation of a Scottish Community Wealth Fund to create a lasting legacy that will ensure that Scotland learns the lessons of the fossil fuel revolution and create positive benefits across all parts of Scotland. Drawing on their track record of joint working, and on the coverage, spread and expertise of their membership organisations, which cover all part of rural and urban, mainland and island, Scotland – this Coalition have been working to provide support for communities to acquire a greater ownership share, and thus ensure that long term sustainable revenue is retained and invested locally.
Community energy is typically characterised by grassroots action, where a community comes together to design, implement, and manage a renewable energy asset or project such a community energy generation project. This could be a wind turbine or solar panels, or a heat, retrofit or transport scheme. Such projects are often driven by a shared mission to deliver environmental, social and economic value for a specific place with democratic input and governance (Brummer 2018; Creamer et al. 2020; Stewart 2021; Hanke et al. 2021).
But what does a healthy community energy sector look like? What really happens when you give local people ownership of their own local natural resources? What do they do with the income? Is it well spent? Does it meet local need? Does it build confidence and capacity for communities to do more? Does it support local jobs and business and help to build affordable houses? Does it work to stem depopulation and retain or attract young working age people? Importantly, does it help local communities address the climate and biodiversity crises?
These are all questions to be examined in this important PhD. But to gain granular insights into how community energy is working at a local level, and what success and progress looks like for Scotland’s communities, collaboration and close working will be essential, including with members of the Coalition itself, and with community organisations.
We welcome candidates with a solid academic background, preferably with a Master’s degree with a significant social sciences component. A passion for community development, local activism and ownership, and social change generally, would also place the candidate at a considerable advantage.
