The Clean Energy Principles are proposed to replace the current Argyll and Bute Guidance for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewables and the Renewable Energy Action Plan, combining them into a single document. The draft document establishes a framework covering nine thematic areas setting out where investors in energy and the Council can support action, other partners will also continue help to deliver these commitments:
- Housing and workforce accommodation
- Strategic economic infrastructure
- Transport infrastructure
- Community wellbeing and environmental stewardship
- Community wealth building
- Skills, education and training
- Strategic and local community benefit funds
- Tackling fuel poverty
- Innovation and collaboration
National Planning Framework 4 requires renewable energy projects to maximise socio-economic benefits, we consider that themes 1-6 could support this. Currently contribution to community benefit funds (theme 7) is voluntary however this is under review by the UK Government.
The Principles are intended for commercial scale energy projects however all projects, including those delivered by the public and third sectors, can consider where they can support the objectives set out.
Purpose
This engagement is designed to seek feedback on the draft Clean Energy Principles and the commitments that they contain. Argyll and Bute Council is particularly keen to hear about how a strategic wealth fund, supported by community benefit payments, can support the priorities of the Community Planning Partnership and spread the benefits of energy developments across all of our communities. If progressed, all new community benefits funds should consider contributing an amount of funding annually to the strategic wealth fund, this could then be used to support projects which deal with strategic priorities (such as housing, transport and community wellbeing) in any part of Argyll and Bute. It is suggested that decisions on expenditure would be made by a panel formed by representatives from the energy industry, communities and the Council. We welcome all your feedback.
Information collected during this engagement process will be used to inform any changes to the draft Clean Energy Principles before they are presented to Policy and Resources Committee for approval during 2027. In considering changes to the draft Clean Energy Principles, we will attempt to balance the views of different stakeholders with the aim of creating a document that is robust and can support both developers and communities as we work together to maximise the benefits from any energy developments being delivered within Argyll and Bute.
How to engage
The engagement exercise will run between 21 October - 20 November 2026.
You can read the draft Clean Energy Principles document here. Please read the document in full before completing the response form.
Please complete the online response form
The engagement is open to all but is particularly relevant to those organisations involved in delivering projects within the energy sector such as renewable energy developers, community energy operators and supply chain businesses as well as those dealing with community benefit funds including community organisations and community councils.
Contact
Anyone with queries about the document can contact Anna Watkiss on 01546 604344 (Mon to Wed) or email renewable.energy@argyll-bute.gov.uk.
