I was delighted to see that the Scottish Co-operative Party’s policy document, Owning the Future Scotland: A Co-operative Agenda for Scotland, launched this week has highlighted support for  ‘plans for community co-operatively-owned energy producers.’  I am proud to serve as the Chair of just such an organisation, the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC).

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative is delighted to once again work in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to have achieved Solar Panel installations on 30 buildings in Edinburgh. The support from the Edinburgh community and beyond by investing in our Share Offer, shows their commitment to reduce the carbon footprint in Edinburgh. Waverley Court is the first building to be installed in the City Centre and will be a visible beacon for renewable energy in Edinburgh.

Waverley Court, Edinburgh City Council Headquarters is the sixth public building to be fitted with community-owned solar panels as part of the second phase of one of the largest community-owned renewable energy projects in the UK.  Phase 2 includes:  Waverley Court, Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre, Bankhead, Sighthill Recycling Centre, Kirkliston Leisure Centre, Gracemount Leisure Centre. This was following a successful second public share offer in September 2020, which raised over £600,000. A fantastic response, with Edinburgh residents investing at a very high level.

ECSC has worked in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, the first public share offer in 2015 enabled the project to install solar PV panels on 24 council and Edinburgh Leisure buildings across the city. £1.4 million was raised with profits going to both members directly and the community though the Community Benefit Fund which came into operation in 2018.

ECSC have the possibility of adding more buildings to their portfolio later in the year which could result in a further share offer.

ECSC is also actively working with partners on a range of other energy saving and low carbon measures to assist in our goal of reducing climate change emissions, improving energy security and helping to foster sustainable development in and around the City of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op, was formed in 2013, is run by  a Board consisting of seven elected members, three representatives of the City of Edinburgh Council and two co-opted individuals. It is registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, with over 540 members.

Lesley Hinds is a former Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party Councillor in Edinburgh and served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh.  She is now the Chair of Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative, she is writing in a personal capacity.