Linking Clean Energy Power to Democratic Power in Scotland Using the Arts

Scotland is one of Europe’s most energy-rich regions, yet its people remain among the most energy-poor. Although the country generates nearly 40% of the UK’s total wind power, households in the Highlands and Islands face some of the highest fuel bills in Europe.

The UK Government’s plans to rapidly industrialise the Highlands and Islands in pursuit of Net Zero are now meeting increasing resistance. When local communities do not see direct benefits, many choose to protect their landscapes for tourism rather than support large-scale energy development. This creates fertile ground for polarisation and misinformation — particularly by groups seeking to undermine Net Zero ambitions.

Spring is a new consortium of media networks, artists, tech designers, and political innovators — initiated by The Alternative Global — working to shift this narrative. Across the region, more and more communities are embracing the idea of community-owned energy: wind, solar, hydro, and beyond. Yet they face significant barriers that require coordinated support.

This session presents Spring’s three-step vision for unlocking Scotland’s fair energy future:

Deliberation:
Using pol.is, we gather diverse community perspectives to uncover the complexity of the debate and build understanding beyond the usual “pro” or “anti” Net Zero framing.

Re-imagining:
Through the transformative power of the arts, we bring people together to re-envision a shared future — one where communities see themselves as active stewards and beneficiaries of the energy transition.

Co-creation:
Working collectively, we outline a new community-led plan for the energy future of the Highlands and Islands — culminating in a public manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood elections.

Join us to explore how Scotland can move from energy poverty to energy empowerment — driven by communities, creativity, and a vision of a just and sustainable future.