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Extra Funding For Scottish Renewables

Posted: 06/09/2006

Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Nicol Stephen has announced £6m of extra funding to help develop renewable energy in the east of Scotland. He said the Scottish Executive wanted to see more Scots companies moving into the sector. Successful companies could receive as much as £500,000 From the Sigma Sustainable Energies Fund, which is backed by the public and private sector. The money is intended to support a range of developments, including energy generation, storage and efficiency projects.

Speaking at Fife Energy Park Mr Stephen remarked that Scotland has world-class universities and research facilities, as well as skills and technology from the offshore energy industry. The region can boast many innovative and enterprising developers and companies. He hoped the new funding would aid more Scottish companies in exploiting renewable energy opportunities.

However, the Scottish Green Party were unimpressed by the amount of money allocated to renewables and claimed that a key industry continued to receive only "crumbs" of support from the government.

North East MSP Shiona Baird said: "Any cash for this sector is welcome, but this is a pitiful amount for a sector that could, if given the right support, secure Scotland a prime position in the global economy. There are potentially thousands of jobs to be created, and we could lead in the production of sustainable and safe energy - but that won't happen if the executive does not get it together and make more meaningful moves to ensure the industry flourishes."

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