The Scottish Government has to award 12 green energy projects a total of £2.6 million, as part of its low carbon infrastructure transition programme.
The funding will go to projects across Scotland, in areas including Glencoe, Callander, Aviemore, Stromness and St Andrews.
“The Scottish Government has set some of the most ambitious carbon reduction targets on the planet – exceeding the requirements of the Paris agreement,” said Scottish minister for business, innovation and energy, Paul Wheelhouse. “And it is making excellent progress towards meeting them.”
Wheelhouse added the government had also set its sights on eradicating fuel poverty, which he described as “an unacceptable blight on too many households in Scotland in 2017 – as energy prices have risen steadily, at a time when wages have been depressed due to a weak UK economy and austerity”.
“These twin challenges drive our ambition for innovative local energy projects, such as those for which we are today announcing £2.6 million of funding, as these will provide many consumers, including in some of Scotland’s most remote areas, with an alternative, greener, and potentially cheaper energy source,’ added Wheelhouse.
“The construction and maintenance of these projects will also have the added benefit of creating and sustaining jobs, and in doing so can bolster local economies.”