Community energy projects in Scotland are being held back by planning permission delays, according to the Sustainable Community Energy Network (SCENE). It estimates a massive 180 MW – enough to power Aberdeen – of community-sized renewable energy is “queued up” in various stages of the planning process.

The new report from the group, which aims to link up investors with smaller low-risk energy projects, claims Scottish communities aren’t reaping the full benefits of renewables.

SCENE says communities need more access to finance and the support of local authorities, as well as greater leverage over grid-providers.