Our energy. our future. our power.
Campaigning to make sure people in Scotland get a fair share of the country’s renewable energy wealth.
What's the problem?
Scotland is rich in renewable energy. But it’s greedy corporations, not people, who are benefiting. Everywhere, communities are watching wind turbines go up, and the profits flow elsewhere.
Meanwhile, workers were promised that the shift to clean energy would bring new opportunities, but for many, those jobs have yet to materialise.
How to put it right.
We can build an energy system that keeps more of Scotland’s wealth in the country and delivers real benefits to local communities, while creating new opportunities for workers and businesses.
Through sustained action from workers and communities, the next Scottish Government has the power to create a fairer energy system for Scotland.
Imagine if we could…
Keep the wealth
Ireland, Denmark and Sweden all have public stakes in renewables and stand to profit more from ScotWind than Scots. We could benefit too, if we do the same.
Support communities
In Aberdeenshire, locally-owned wind is funding affordable homes for locals, and in Orkney it’s boosting council services. Let’s do this everywhere.
Create good jobs
The increase in wind energy could create a thriving manufacturing base in Scotland and deliver thousands of promised jobs for workers.
Our Demands
Our Power is calling on the Scottish government to:
1. Take a stake in all future offshore wind projects to generate public revenue.
With offshore wind set to boom in Scotland, the Scottish government must make sure the Scottish people benefit from the wealth it generates – and not just private companies, overseas investors and shareholders.
A simple and fair way to do that is by taking a public stake in future projects. A 20% equity share funded through bodies like the Scottish National Investment Bank, for example, is a practical and affordable move.
2. Fund councils to invest in local renewable energy projects to generate local income
Local councils are strapped for cash and it’s hitting public services. But what if they could bring in income from investing in local renewable energy projects? Orkney Islands Council is already showing the way, developing its own wind farms that will help fund social care, education and transport services for local people.
The Scottish government should make it possible for every council to do the same in partnership with local community groups, drawing funds for investment from Great British Energy, the Scottish National Investment Bank, the UK’s National Wealth Fund.
Scotland’s clean energy is an opportunity to boost local services but it will take more vision from the Scottish government.
3. Give more local communities the chance to own energy projects.
Community-owned energy projects are already delivering an income stream for local services, skills for local people, as well as local pride to parts of Scotland, but many more communities could see these benefits.
In Denmark, two-thirds of onshore wind is community-owned whereas in Scotland, it’s currently less than 1%, because of needless barriers. The Scottish government can change that with more ambition, a proper roadmap, and more support for communities. It’s time to stop locking communities out and start giving them a meaningful stake in our energy future.
4. Create secure, well paid jobs by building an offshore wind manufacturing industry.
Scotland has the chance to build a thriving wind manufacturing industry, but it’s currently not happening. Despite our skilled workforce and plans for a massive rollout of offshore wind, Scotland doesn’t yet have enough manufacturers to meet demand. And those that exist are missing out because developer promises to “buy Scottish” aren’t being enforced.
The Scottish government must step up. Instead of handing public loans to overseas firms to locate in Scotland, it should invest directly – taking public stakes in key manufacturers – and use its powers to ensure developers buy locally, guarantee good pay and union rights. Better still, follow other countries’ lead and create a publicly-owned wind manufacturing company to deliver priority components and return profits to the public.
Our partners
Our Power is supported by the following organisations:
