Garve and District Community Energy Project

1. Garve and District Community Energy Project 29th March 2016 Nick Chapman & Marion O’Hara, Community Energy Scotland

2. Project Overview This project is funded by Lochluichart Community Trust and is delivered by Community Energy Scotland in partnership with members of the local community. The project seeks to lay the foundation for a community energy movement in the Garve and District Area by establishing a local Community Energy Group and by assessing the opportunties to use Community Benefit payments from the nearby wind farms to deliver community energy projects to benefit the local community.

3. The project aims to do 3 things • Home Energy - Identify opportunities for local people to install energy efficiency and renewables in their homes, and then seek funding to install these measures • Community-owned hydro scheme - Assess the potential to develop a community-owned microhydro scheme in the area • Local Community Energy Group - Help to set-up a local Community Energy Group who can develop community energy in the Garve and District Area into the future.

4. 1. Home Energy – Home Energy Visits and Open Days Through this scheme, all residents in the area have been offered a free Home Energy Visit by ‘Home Energy Scotland’, who produce a report identifying suitable improvements. What has happened so far: • Two open events at Garve Village Hall on 13th January and Achnasheen Village Hall on 1st March • Two sets of letters sent to all householders in the area • Flyers erected in public places

5. Home Energy Visits so far “ It was great to meet you…there were a few surprises when you were telling me things I didn't know such as my hot water tank insulation being insufficient…Added to this the amount I spend on petrol and oil each year I realise how much of my income is simply for fuel.” - Resident Major material outcome so far: Two households which we visited have been referred to the national ‘Warmer Homes’ programme and have consequently been provided with free solid wall insulation and a new heating system, with approximate value of £15,000.

6. Outcome of first 17 energy reports It can be seen that number 7 and 17 have much lower carbon emission because they are heating using wood-fuel

7. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Opportunities • A total of 76 energy efficiency and renewable energy measures have been identified across the 17 properties. Some are common, such as solid wall insulation, whilst others are less common, such as cavity wall insulation – see chart below. • Opportunities to reduce price by bulk-buying common measures and access renewable energy subsidies

8. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Opportunities • £300k of home energy improvements identified so far (~£15k per household) • Save households on average £750 per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 80% • If only the most cost effective measures are installed, we can still generate significant savings at much reduced cost. • Calculations so far do not include Renewable Heat Incentive payments, which would generate significant additional income to the community • Extrapolated for whole community of 177 households, around £2.6M investment of home improvements and £150k saving per year.

9. What next for home energy? In March 2016 the Garve & District Community Energy Steering Group are preparing to apply for funding from LCT to continue this work. If approved, this funding will enable work to be carried out installing energy efficiency and renewable energy measures which have been recommended for individual homes. This support, if granted, we hope may include the following four elements: • Free low-cost energy efficiency measures, such as low-energy light bulbs and draft-proofing kits available to all interested residents • £500 grant towards higher-cost energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for households wishing to have this work carried out • Free Green Deal Assessments and Home Energy Visits offered • Local energy volunteers to assist residents to procure these services

10. 2. Hydro scheme Summary of what we have done so far: • Desktop study of Forestry Commission land and potential hydro sites • Engagement with Kirknewton Community Development Trust and financial modelling of their hydro sites on National Forest Estate land

11. Kirknewton Community Development Trust • We met with them on 1st March 2016 in Kirknewton to discuss their developments in the area. • KCDT have exclusivity rights to two burns: • Allt Riabhach • Allt na Bana-Mhorair • These discussions are currently ongoing but we will let the community know the outcome shortly

12. 3. Setting up a local Community Energy Group • The Community Energy Steering Group comprises four members of the local community: John Fenwick, Sue Tarr, John Bedwell and Laura McWhinney. • Community Energy Scotland and the local group meet monthly to plan the next steps of the project and discuss future opportunities. • The group is not yet formally constituted. This is because we are awaiting the outcome of the Garve and District Community Needs Survey (being carried out by another organisation) is likely to make recommendations for setting up a local development organisation. It is likely that Garve and District Community Energy will become part of this new organisation. • We warmly welcome anyone in the community to come and join the Community Energy Steering Group!

13. Contact Us If you would like to find out more about the Garve and District Community Energy Project, get a free home visits or to join the local energy Steering Group, please don’t hesitate to contact Nick Chapman at nick.chapman@communityenergyscotland.org.uk or phone 07717 653 223. We also have a project webpage, which is used to post information on upcoming meetings and events: http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/garve-and-district-community-energy.asp Further information on Community Energy Scotland can found here: http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/ And for information on Lochluichart Community Trust: http://www.lochluichartcommunitytrust.com/