CARES Conference 2025: Scaling up community energy

Join Local Energy Scotland on Wednesday 29 January for the annual CARES conference to discuss scaling up community energy in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) supports communities to engage, participate and benefit in the energy transition to net zero.

This conference will look at scaling up community energy across Scotland and its importance in making net zero a reality by 2030. With Labour set to scale up local energy projects at the UK level through Local Power Plans in England and Wales, Local Energy Scotland are asking, ‘How can more communities across Scotland get involved in local energy projects?’ 

In the plenary sessions, you’ll be joined by Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, Acting Minister for Climate Action.

You’ll hear from organisations and communities that have already carried out renewable energy projects, and inspirational stories from community groups that are delivering renewable energy projects.

This will be followed by a discussion session, with panellists talking about the community energy’s role in having an inclusive and fair transition for us to reach net zero emissions. 

After lunch, two parallel practical sessions will be running. Here you’ll be able to choose from workshops that include shared ownership, the role communities can play to accelerate decarbonising heat, maximising community benefits for Scottish communities and more. These sessions have been designed to focus on previous learnings and what action community groups can take to help Scotland reach its net zero targets by 2030.

Throughout the day, you’ll be able to meet Local Energy Scotland’s local development officers. With opportunities to find out more about CARES and ask specific questions about existing renewable energy projects or ideas you may have.

The conference is free to attend. Visit Local Energy Scotland’s website for full information, including on how to book your free space.