The Scottish and UK Government's have approved the Outline Business Case for the development of Scotland's first net zero carbon, energy self-efficient community in Cumnock.

This is a major milestone in the project's development as it paves the way for the creation of a Full Business Case for CoRE, bringing it one step closer to becoming a reality for the communities of East Ayrshire.

CoRE (Community Renewable Energy Project) is an innovative renewables project in Cumnock which will build on the area's natural resources in order to provide a self-sustaining network of low cost energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydro.

-- Advertisement --

The project is being funded with £17 million from UK Government and £7.5 million from East Ayrshire Council as part of the £251.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal, a 10 year investment programme jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments and local authorities.

The aim of the initiative is to regenerate the area and give it a green future after the demise of coal mining in the area. It seeks to stimulate community wealth building and to help reach ambitious national and global targets in order to make all local communities, buildings, transport and waste management carbon neutral by 2045, setting a bold example in the race to become a net zero carbon area.

This highly innovative project aims to position Cumnock as the 'go-to' community in terms of the future of energy production and distribution for rural areas. The project will help to reduce carbon emissions in the home, businesses and the environment as a whole and provide educational and career opportunities for young people.

It will also boost equalities by tackling fuel poverty, improving the carbon footprint of both private and social housing stocks and bolstering the local economy with a secure supply of reliable, cost effective and low carbon energy solutions.