North-east electrical and renewable energy specialist i-Protech is encouraging community organisations across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the wider North-east to explore funding opportunities that could help them reduce energy costs and invest in renewable energy technologies.
The Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), delivered by Local Energy Scotland, provides support for community organisations looking to participate in Scotland's transition to renewable energy. The CARES Community Buildings Fund is currently open to eligible non-profit distributing Scottish charities and companies seeking to improve community buildings.
Support can assist eligible organisations with technologies including solar PV, battery energy storage and heat pumps, alongside associated energy-efficiency measures. The current funding round is scheduled to close at the end of October 2026, or earlier if available funding is fully allocated.
Stuart Munro of i-Protech said "Energy costs remain a significant consideration for community organisations, charities and organisations operating community buildings across the North-east.
"There are some very interesting opportunities through CARES for organisations considering solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and other energy improvements, but knowing where to start and understanding what is technically achievable can sometimes be the difficult part.
"We would encourage community organisations to look at the support that's available and start considering the longer-term energy requirements of their buildings.
"For us, it's not simply about installing equipment. The starting point should always be understanding the building, how and when it uses energy, and then determining which technologies are actually going to deliver the best result."
In addition to support for community buildings, CARES has previously provided funding for larger community-owned renewable energy projects, demonstrating the growing opportunities for communities to become directly involved in renewable energy generation and ownership.
i-Protech believes the growth of community energy presents a significant opportunity for the North-east, particularly for community centres, village halls, sports facilities, charities and other organisations with suitable buildings or land.
Stuart Munro added "The North-east has a huge amount of experience in energy, and the transition presents an opportunity to bring some of that expertise directly into our own communities.
"A community building with the right roof, the right electricity demand and a well-designed solar and battery system can potentially reduce the amount of electricity it needs to purchase while making much better use of locally generated renewable energy.
"We'd be delighted to speak with community organisations that are considering a project and help them understand what might be technically achievable before they take the next step."
i-Protech provides electrical and renewable energy solutions across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the wider North-east, including commercial and community solar PV, battery energy storage, EV charging and associated electrical infrastructure.