CommonWatt is now officially registered as a Community Benefit Society!
If you’re new to the concept, CommonWatt, is a collaborative project between Midlothian, West Lothian, East Lothian and Edinburgh Climate Action Networks. Our aim is to advance community-owned renewable energy and help local groups and organisations cut their costs and emissions, while ensuring revenue stays local and benefits local communities.
We currently have funding to develop 12 sites across the four regions, and that work is well underway. We expect to move to the final installation phase for these sites next year.
So, what does this mean in practice?
A Community Benefit Society (CBS) is a type of non-profit set up to serve the wider community rather than shareholders. It is run by its membership, where one member equals one vote regardless of how much they have invested. Any surplus is reinvested locally, and an asset lock protects the society’s non-profit purpose.
Through a CBS, CommonWatt now has a shared vehicle to deliver renewable installation projects. Its board is made up of members from the four participating CANs, and as a CBS it can:
- Bid jointly for funding as one organisation, rather than four CANs bidding separately and managing four pots of money
- Offer community shares, so local people and groups can invest in renewable projects and earn a return, knowing the wealth stays local
- Own assets and sign contracts as a single body, giving our solar projects long-term stability
WE'RE HIRING: We are currently looking for a new CommonWatt Business Development Officer to coordinate the development of our community solar programme and help establish the business arrangements needed for its long-term success. If this is you, click the link below!
More Details HereWhat’s happening locally?
While community benefit funding from CommonWatt is still some way off, it presents an exciting opportunity. Over time, it could provide a significant, community-controlled source of funding that supports local resilience. To make sure we’re ready when the first installations are operational, we need to decide how CommonWatt funding can deliver the greatest possible long-term benefit for communities across Midlothian.
Discussions have started on how that revenue will be allocated and distributed, and how it can support local groups and climate action. A core group of partners from the network is leading these early conversations.
If you’d like to know more or be involved in future conversations, please get in touch with Bruno at bruno.santos@midlothinclimateaction.org.uk
Do you have a building with solar potential?
We’re adding new projects to our pipeline. If you own or know of a building that might suit solar, please get in touch.
Get in TouchWant to reduce your Community Building's energy Usage?
Our free Energy Efficiency Service is here to support you from initial assessment to installation.
Learn More