CommonWatt – door opens to community energy
We’re delighted that a bid led by WLCAN to the Community Energy Generation Growth fund has been successful. WLCAN led the bid for funding to explore feasibility for a number of sites across south-east Scotland, and six will now be studied for potential development. These are among a pipeline of over 40 sites that could bring renewable energy generation into the heart of communities, giving them ownership of their own energy sources, and investing surplus earnings back into the area.
WLCAN shares in £20,000 with two other climate hubs for technical assessment of six initial sites. The CommonWatt application includes East Lothian and Midlothian Climate Hubs. Each hub area will have two sites assessed; in West Lothian these will be the Xcite leisure facilities in Linlithgow and Bathgate. It is hoped larger sites, when developed, will form a template for smaller ones.
The bid was led by Neil Barnes. The announcement came as Neil finishes up as Senior Development Worker with WLCAN, with him being offered an exciting opportunity with the Verdancy Group/FEDCAP in the green skills sector. Neil will continue to offer his experience in developing community energy, adding: “I’ll still be volunteering locally for Linlith-Go-Solar/Linlithgow CDT and want to continue to contribute some of my free time to the emerging CommonWatt community energy initiative. We have embarked upon this collective initiative with the other SE Scotland climate hubs and Lothians in particular. We have a growing joint pipeline of some 43 sites. The stars are aligning for a brighter future for community-owned energy.”
Jocelyn Lockhart will now be moving into the role of Senior Development Worker. The team and board are looking forward to working with the external consultant on the funded feasibility studies.
The Community Energy Generation Growth Fund is administered by the Scottish Government’s CARES. Read more about the £5.5 million worth of awards to development community energy across Scotland here.
CommonWatt’s joint announcement is here.
Climate Week Stories
We’re marking Scotland’s Climate Week 2025 by celebrating the work of network members.
Broxburn and Uphall Growers’ Society conducted a trial of electroculture, comparing food grown on soil supercharged with natural energy forces against plants with no additional help. The results were impressive despite a year with more challenges from pests, a reduction in pollinators and weather extremes over summer.
The group are one of several in WLCAN looking to address local food supply as well as quality and how it’s grown. Like others involved in nature restoration and flood mitigation, gardeners are the eyes of climate change. See pictures and read observations of the community garden in 2025 from BUGS’ lead grower Helen here.
Read more about how the growing trial was set up with help from our Eco Fund here.
St Michael’s RC Church Linlithgow is a local grouping of a global charity Saint Vincent de Paul. WLCAN helped to fund expansion of raised beds to increase produce. The produce from the beds goes directly to the Foodbank, helping to cut food waste and promote community involvement.
Children love helping and it has been made more accessible and efficient in use of water. The garden is thriving thanks to this year’s effective re-routing of water supply, new growing beds and further ones on loan, and starting to make their own compost. Donations of seeds and potatoes from the community show how food growing projects really get people involved and make a difference to the supply of freshly grown food, cutting down transport and emphasising the benefits of seasonal produce grown naturally.
See more of their achievements here
To find out more or get in contact with the church, see its listing on our members’ page.
Livingston Community Shed outline their thriving portfolio of activities, which runs from garden that is the focus of a peat-free growing trial, an orchard, furniture repairs and work experience for young people. Passing skills on from one generation to the next is just the start. Read more here.
Learn more about Livingston Shed on our members pages and read how the work has grown since funding with WLCAN’s Eco Development Fund.
Climate Week
Scotland’s Climate Week this year runs from 29 September to 5 October. We’re celebrating the progress of our network members, who improve communities across West Lothian by growing food, plants and trees, tackling water problems, reducing waste and pursuing green energy. We have a diverse membership of groups who are all contributing to action to mitigate climate change. We’re handing the spotlight to member groups to tell us what they’ve achieved and are working on.
First to be featured, Livingston Community Shed outline their thriving portfolio of activities, which runs from garden that is the focus of a peat-free growing trial, an orchard, furniture repairs and work experience for young people. Passing skills on from one generation to the next is just the start. Read more here.
New Eco Development Fund open
Got a bright idea for a local climate action project? The WLCAN Eco Development Fund can help it get off the ground. We’ve opened the fourth round of this funding for community projects that tackle climate change. Network members can apply for a share of £20,000 currently available. Applications close on 12 October and those successful will be informed by the end of October. Funding must be spent by 31 March 2026. The application form, which includes guidance notes, must be downloaded, which you can do on our Eco Deveiopment Fund webpage. You must be a member of WLCAN to apply (join with form). We’re very keen to hear from network members who can come up with collaborative projects to establish more shared community resources and practices. We would like to help climate work in West Lothian to become self-sustaining and evolving, with more projects that benefit the local environment and people.
Youth CAN
Calling young people interested in climate sector careers. Renewable energy and community development have excellent job prospects and WLCAN is investing in helping young people into the sector, and can fund their ideas as a Youth Climate Action Network. Community energy schemes using solar power and battery storage are just getting started, with several solar PV sites under active exploration for development in West Lothian. This is an exciting time to get into careers in local sustainability.
Along with members and other partner organisations, we are forming a Youth Climate Action Network and have a budget to help empower local young people to take ideas forward. We can offer volunteering opportunities to individuals from age 14-29. YCAN is for, and will be developed by, young people to shape how West Lothian addresses the challenges of weather extremes, food supply, energy costs. This flyer provides more information, get in touch.
Learn about River Avon
Join us for a scenic walk to hear about the River Avon from anglers and associated experts in aquatic biodiversity. This event on 30 August is limited to 15 places. See further event details and form to register.
Book free training for carbon literacy
We’re offering free training through the Carbon Literacy Project. Upskill your knowledge and expertise in how to reduce carbon emissions. This could be applied in the home, at work or anywhere in the community. You’ll get a certificate of accreditation. Choose from an evening or afternoon session in Bathgate or Linlithgow.
Carbon Literacy Project® provides relevant climate change learning that encourages positive action to reduce emissions. It aims to make this learning accessible so you can become certified as carbon literate.
Beyond small personal changes, carbon literacy emphasises the need for significant change. It empowers individuals to create a wider impact, no matter the setting.
The course is accessible, motivating, and tailored to West Lothian. In addition to the session, you will receive some reading and quizzes to complete in your own time.
Training sessions are on Thursday 7 August, 5-9pm at the Bathgate Partnership Centre or Wednesday 13 August, 1-5pm at the Lowport Centre, Linlithgow. To book either session follow this link.
Join us for river walk
Come along for a sociable walk along the River Almond on Sunday, 17 August, 11.30am-1,30pm at Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. Meet at the visitor centre for a walk with stops. Celebrate the biodiversity and heritage of the River Almond, learn about some of the issues facing it and how they are being tackled, meet those working to improve the region’s beautiful aquatic nature lifeline.
With Friends of Almondell & Calderwood Country Park, River Almond Action Group and others. No need to book, but get in touch if you have questions.
This will be followed by a pollinator workshop (2pm-4pm) by Buglife Scotland and Almond Valley Nature Action, for which you’ll need to book your spot. See more details and booking link for the workshop.
Climate Conversations
Last September we invited residents in Bathgate to determine their local climate priorities. With community transport the top area for action (voted by 81% of attendees), followed by climate education focusing on green space (71%), then by community energy (53%), there is plenty to work on.
The next steps for these priorities will be discussed during Climate Conversations. A series of these events will travel around West Lothian localities. These mini-gatherings are your chance to get involved in local action to improve your area’s resources and help the planet. It could be flooding and pollution, cleaning up green spaces, helping nature and biodiversity, access to more local fresh food, sustainable transport, community owned energy and cheaper, greener power sources. What matters in your area?
Linlithgow will host the first Climate Conversation. See event details for the evening, on 26 May. The following week we’ll return to Bathgate to take the next steps there.
