Community renewables in the UK - a clash of cultures?

Abstract

Community renewables policy and uptake are analysed and compared between Scotland, England and Wales, using a 'cultural frames' approach. Until very recently, the majority of UK community renewable capacity (in megawatt terms) was rolled out in Scotland. More egalitarian approaches to organising community renewables are observed in Scotland compared to more individualistic approaches in England and Wales. We argue that this may be associated with the existence of more 'communitarian' oriented local institutions in Scotland as opposed to England and Wales. However, the future trend of community renewables policy may be towards a more hierarchical modality in that governments are now stressing the advantages of partnering community renewable initiatives with commercial renewable energy schemes.