SOCIAL enterprises as well as small and medium-sized businesses in Wales are being offered help to develop their own renewable energy schemes.

The Welsh Government has unveiled a scheme supporting small and medium renewable energy projects through technical advice, assessing financial viability and connecting projects with potential sources of funding.

Announcing the scheme, Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant said: “Between 2012 and 2014 the total capacity of renewable energy installed in Wales has grown by 84 per cent.

“I am keen to see local communities and businesses benefit from this transition.

“Small organisations and communities with renewable energy ambitions often struggle to achieve their goals due to the range of specialist legal, technical and administrative skills required during planning and development.

“This programme will provide the support needed to help communities identify and overcome gaps in capacity.”

The project is being run in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, Ricardo Energy and Environment, Wales Council for Voluntary Action and social investment organisation Pure Leapfrog.