Menu

Micro renewables can boost communities

Scottish Greens have pledged to support public or community-owned micro renewable projects to create sustainable communities.

The Scottish Greens manifesto pledges to put locally-owned projects at the heart of a green recovery.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Saughton public park to see the 39kW hydro turbine known as an ‘Archimedes Screw’ on the Water of Leith, Scottish Greens co leader Lorna Slater said:

“Local, democratic ownership is at the heart of our plans for a green recovery. We think councils should be able to have stakes in local energy companies and we want to increase support for local communities to have ownership of their own local renewable energy projects.

“Local solar, hydro or wind projects can play a big role in cutting Scotland’s emissions as we face up to the climate emergency with the urgency it needs. With only nine years left to show leadership on the climate crisis, we need to be empowering our communities to act now. Our future depends on it.”

The Archimedes Screw Turbine powers two ground-source heat pumps and generates energy for lighting and buildings at Saughton public park. Scottish Greens will support more developments like this as part of a green recovery.