Community Renewable Energy Framework Programme
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Glasgow's Community Renewable Energy Framework (CREF) has been developed to help local organisations to deliver their own community energy projects.
What is Community Energy?
Unlike traditional energy generation (by burning fossil fuels such as gas or coal, for example), renewable energy is generated from natural sources that are continually replenished, like sunlight, wind or waves.
Community Energy means communities leading the delivery of renewables projects, whether wholly owned and/or controlled by communities, or through partnerships with commercial or public sector partners. Community energy is about people and communities taking democratic control over energy, by understanding, generating, and owning energy in their communities.
What is the Community Renewable Energy Framework?
The Community Renewable Energy Framework removes some of the typical barriers to developing community energy projects, providing a framework for communities to follow as they move through from project design to delivery.
One of the biggest hurdles for community energy developers is finding suitable land, together with finance, connection and planning challenges. The CREF identifies several sites for communities to develop a business case for their community energy project. All community proposals will be supported by a dedicated CREF working group.
However, projects need to be led and designed by the communities themselves to ensure they are addressing needs from a local community perspective.
How does it work?
The Community Renewable Energy Framework is broken down into 4 stages.
Stage 1: Pre-Application
Glasgow-based groups are invited to submit a Pre-Application Form to the Council to develop a CREF site.
At this stage, you should consider what a community energy project involves and if this is something you and your community want to undertake. You do not need know everything about your proposed community energy project. You should use your Pre-Application Form to outline an overall vision for your site, highlight relevant experience and your community's capacity to deliver, and demonstrate your understanding of what is needed to deliver your community energy project.
Stage 1: Pre-Application is assessed competitively. Your Pre-Application Form will be scored and if multiple organisations apply for the same site, the highest scoring organisation will progress to the next stage.
For more information on Stage 1: Pre-Application, refer to the Pre-Application Form Guidance.
Stage 2: Application
If successful, you will be invited to Stage 2: Application and given priority in discussion of a lease on your chosen CREF site.
At the end of this stage, you will submit a detailed Application Form, demonstrating a viable business case for your community energy project.
Community energy projects need to be led and designed by the communities themselves. To complete your Application Form, you will first need to complete following steps:
- Undertake initial feasibility studies
- Develop site plans
- Develop a business plan proposal, including a delivery plan and financial plan
- Outline plans to deliver benefits to the wider community
- Secure necessary planning permissions
- Engage local stakeholders and gain support
- Identify and secure funding for your project
- Identify contractors to deliver your project
- Outline arrangements for long-term monitoring and reporting
You will be supported throughout this stage by regular meetings with the CREF Working Group to advise you and guide you through the process.
Your Application Form will then be reviewed by a panel of officers and, if successful, presented to Elected Members at the Council's Contracts and Property Committee, which will make the ultimate decision whether to progress your application or defer it.
For more information on Stage 2: Application, refer to the Application Form Guidance.
Stage 3: Development
Having secured the authority of the Contracts and Property Committee, negotiations of any contractual and lease arrangements with your organisation will be finalised.
Stage 4: Implementation
Once all legal documentation is finalised and a date agreed, the site will be handed over to you so you can initiate works.
The Council will maintain contact with you over the duration of the lease and you will report on the project on a yearly basis.
Timeline
- Launch Event - 23/06/2025
- Information Session - 26/06/2025
- Pre-Application Form submission window opens - 26/06/2025
- Pre-Application Form Workshop - Date pending
- Final deadline for Pre-Application Forms - Date pending
- Applicants notified of outcomes - Date pending
- Stage 2: Application deadline - Date pending
How to Apply
Stage 1: Pre-Application
Submit your completed Pre-Application Form and any supporting documentation by the deadline to community.energy@glasgow.gov.uk with the email subject line "[Organisation Name], Pre-Application Form Submission".
Stage 2: Application
Before submitting your Application form, please contact your nominated case officer.
CREF Forms and Guidance
- Pre-Application Form
- Pre-Application Form Guidance
- Application Form
- Application Form Guidance
How to Develop a Community Energy Project
Local Energy Scotland maintain a resource hub that includes everything you need to know about developing a community energy project, including a range of case studies to learn from, dedicated toolkits to support you with each step of the process, and a comprehensive resource index of training modules.
Some useful modules include the project roadmap, the grid connection module and the local energy supply module. You should explore the LES resource hub in depth before you begin working on your application. 6
Consider also speaking with an LES local development officer for further support and advice.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the application process, eligibility criteria, or submission requirements, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Email: community.energy@glasgow.gov.uk
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3-5 working days.
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Documents
- Pre-Application Form
- Pre-Application Form Guidance
- Application Form
- Application Form Guidance
Links
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