Scottish Government announces £20m investment for low-carbon infrastructure projects

A working coalition between the Scottish Government, public agencies and sector specialists has today (11 June) announced the launch of funding support aimed at the delivery of large scale transformational low-carbon infrastructure projects based in Scotland.


The Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) aims to stimulate commercial interest and investment to maximise Scotland’s low-carbon potential. Funding from the scheme will financially support up to £20m per project in cases where this represents no more than 50% of the project total capital value.

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Economy Keith Brown said: “The Scottish Government is committed to growing Scotland’s low carbon economy, creating jobs and delivering on climate change ambitions. All communities across Scotland can benefit from these opportunities.

“The estimated market value of sales in Scotland’s low carbon and renewable sector in 2013/14 was £5.6bn, with around 8,000 businesses employing 21,500 people.

“This fund is another example of the benefits of Scotland remaining in the EU and the single market as The Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) is supported by the 2014 – 2020 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).”

The programme is inviting innovative projects that incorporate one or more low-carbon technologies and have the ability to demonstrate tangible economic, social and low-carbon benefits. Successful projects will present commercially viable technologies and encourage wider uptake and replication in communities across Scotland.

LCITP are also welcoming applications from small scale aggregated projects that can demonstrate a transformational impact on the way that Scotland generates and uses energy.

Scottish investment

In recent times, Scotland has been hailed as Britain’s low-carbon leader, in part thanks to high levels of Government investment for innovative projects.

Last week, the Scottish Government announced a £7.9m collaboration with nine of Europe’s largest offshore wind developers to reduce costs, and improve efficiency and availability of offshore wind farms

Additionally, the Government recently invested £48m for innovative scientific research in the agriculture and environmental sectors in an effort to strengthen global challenges such as food security and climate change.

The country has also pledged to invest £70m in a new centre of excellence and an innovative new closed-loop manufacturing strategy.

‘World-leading innovators’

In related news, Business Secretary Sajid Javid last week announced £28 million in funding for innovative projects that will lead to affordable, sustainable and secure energy delivery and the integration of different modes of transport.

Two competitions, opening over the next two weeks, will aim to develop new ideas and support the first use of new products to help businesses secure customers and investment.

Sajid Javid said: “Creating opportunities for businesses to thrive in the UK is essential for increasing productivity, creating jobs, and boosting our economy. That’s why Government is working with businesses across all sectors to ensure they have the support they need to grow now and in the future.

“Part of our success will be to help propel innovative UK business even further – not only do our world-leading innovators and research base attract foreign investment, their ideas go on to improve the lives of millions of people. Whether tackling climate change or cancer, this new funding will help get the best ideas onto the market quicker and shows our commitment to make the UK the best place in Europe to innovate, set up and grow a business.”

George Ogleby

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