Chapter Accelerate the clean, just energy transition
Enable the establishment of locally-owned public energy and heat companies, co-owned by community organisations, to help ensure a social mandate for renewables and deliver substantial benefits for local economies and communities
International
UK Govt
Scottish Govt
Local Authorities
Emissions reduction
Behaviour change
Common Weal have outlined proposals for various options for increasing public ownership of energy under devolved powers. A publicly owned energy company could have sold the new ScotWind offshore electricity to the grid and retained the operating profits, with estimates that the failure to do so would cost Scotland between £3.5 billion and £5.5 billion every year – about a tenth of the Scottish budget. Greater public ownership would also benefit the economy and help tackle fuel poverty. The feasibility report for East Lothian Heat which estimated significant socio-economic benefit for the region – more than £900 million – and long-term, stable tariffs for vulnerable households.
For more information:
- How to own Scottish Energy, Common Weal, 2025