by Mathew Beech
The Scottish Government is set to almost double its energy budget from £64.3 million in 2013/14 to £115.9 million in 2014/15. Of the extra funds, £45 million will come from Scotland’s fossil fuel levy surplus and £14.7 million from the UK government as part of the Green Deal initiative.
In last week’s draft budget, the Scottish Government set out plans to “reindustrialise Scotland” with clean energy technologies. It intends to target renewable schemes, in particular wave and tidal, through state-funded enterprise bodies.
Under the proposals, a renewable energy investment fund will be created by this year with £103 million for investment, loans or guarantees for projects, and to help them to secure private sector cash.
The draft budget also involves extra spending on domestic and public sector energy efficiency, community and home renewable projects and promises an increased focus on renewable and low-carbon heat schemes. Energy standards for new buildings are to be reviewed.
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 28th September 2012.
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