Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 13TH AUG 2025    5:31:38 PM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Help for communities to invest in renewables

18th September 2015

A new programme to help communities and social enterprises to generate income by investing in commercially owned renewable energy developments has been launched this week, as part of Community Energy Fortnight.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has introduced the programme to deliver one to one support, tailored development workshops and specialist support to raise awareness of, and accelerate, the completion of investment opportunities.

The programme, entitled HI-SHARES, will work in partnership with the Scottish Government CARES programme which exists to support communities with renewable energy developments and work closely with sector stakeholders.

Melanie MacRae, HIE's senior development manager for HI-SHARES, said: "We recognise that some communities might not want to take on the development of a renewable energy project single handed. Investment in shared ownership is an innovative alternative model to enable communities to generate a sustainable income from renewables.

"There are a number of opportunities in the region and we are very pleased to be able to provide this support for our clients. The service will work closely with our existing community organisation clients while also having a focus on our fragile and employment action areas to ensure maximum benefit for the region."

HIE is already helping communities in Mid-Argyll acquire ownership of two wind turbines; one on each of two major planned wind farms. The programme is funding specialist support to help the group develop a strategic plan and engage with relevant organisations. This has the potential to bring long term benefit to local communities and to Argyll more widely.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Highland Region Investment Landscape Creating More Business and Jobs
Highland hosts 110 of the Highlands & Islands' 251 identified transformational projects, representing over £40 billion of potential investment and more than 11,450 direct operational jobs in the area.   Across the Highlands & Islands, the total investment potential from 2025 to 2040 is over £100 billion, marking a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the regional economy and support nearly 18,000 ongoing roles post-construction.  
Investment in Caithness and Sutherland helps HIE achieve targets
Investment by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in Caithness and Sutherland during 2024-25 helped the organisation to meet or exceed 18 of its 20 key targets.   The figures compiled by the agency are subject to review by Audit Scotland before publication of HIE's annual report in November.  
Public partnership signed to accelerate clean energy transitionThumbnail for article : Public partnership signed to accelerate clean energy transition
Two public organisations have signed a partnership agreement committing them to work together to accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Aberdeen based Great British Energy (GBE) signed the agreement in Inverness on Thursday 31 July during a GBE visit to the region.  
Island investment boosts outturns for HIE in 2024/25
Figures compiled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) show strong outturns against key targets for the agency during the 2024/25 financial year.   The figures, which are subject to review by Audit Scotland before publication of HIE's annual report in November, show that the agency met or exceeded 18 of its 20 key targets.  
HIE holding drop-ins for Wick Business Park expansion plansThumbnail for article : HIE holding drop-ins for Wick Business Park expansion plans
People in the Wick area of Caithness are being invited to share their views on proposals to expand Wick Business Park.   Following the successful development of phase one, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is planning a second phase of development on land next to the existing business park.  
Salmon farm company to convert waste to useable product
A project to recycle waste at an aquaculture hatchery in Wester Ross has secured up to £630,290 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Bakkafrost Scotland limited is leading the project, which has a total investment value of more than £2.5m.  
Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park
Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year.   ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.  
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland teamThumbnail for article : New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  
Applications open for the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply to the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme.   The initiative is designed to empower rural business owners and senior leaders across Scotland with the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to drive innovation and growth in their communities.  
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands EnterpriseThumbnail for article : Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Applications are currently being invited through the government's public appointments website with a closing date of 7 July 2025.