Question reference: S5W-16034
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 April 2018
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 2 May 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can legally enforce community benefit agreements between communities and wind farm operators.
Answer
The Scottish Government has no direct powers to oblige developers to pay community benefits or determine how funds are spent. In 2014, in partnership with industry and communities the Scottish Government produced Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments which set out national standards on community benefits, which we encourage all developers and communities to use.
In Scotland's Energy Strategy (published December 2017) the Scottish Government gave a commitment to review its Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits and Shared Ownership. As part of the review process we have set up a Steering Group comprised of representatives from communities and industry, and are gathering evidence more widely through stakeholder workshops prior to undertaking a formal consultation later this year.