Scotland is on track to become one of the greenest countries in the world if it achieves its new ‘net zero’ targets. Earlier this year, we welcomed the Scottish Government pledge to reduce Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045, with ScottishPower and Glasgow City Council aiming to make Glasgow the UK’s first net zero city.
These are ambitious targets that will require changes to behaviour, economics and policy. However, with the right investment Scotland has the potential to become a world leader in sustainability and energy efficiency.
To make it happen, it’s vital for businesses across a wide range of industries to invest in zero carbon solutions – such as modernising machinery, increasing the use of, and access to, electric transport options, ending reliance on fossil fuels and reducing waste. Progress towards net zero hinges on the success of Scotland’s green economy.
With this in mind we at SP Energy Networks, have committed to voluntarily contribute up to £20million over a two-year period to initiatives that will support Scotland’s ambitious green energy plan. The Green Economy Fund supports green projects that will ultimately help the Scottish Government in reaching its net zero target.
Our Green Economy Fund will help to build infrastructure while stimulating economic growth and creating green jobs in communities across Central and Southern Scotland. We’re funding projects that aim to boost local economic growth, improve air quality in our cities or educate the workforce of tomorrow to ensure a greener future for Scotland.
The first round of the Green Economy Fund’s project funding saw 12 green projects receive investment – including a micro-hydro project at Edinburgh’s Saughton Park, Community EV Car Clubs in Southern Scotland, an app to locate active electric vehicle charge points and a new STEM hub at Dumfries & Galloway College.
The second round of funding was announced this month, with a further 21 Scottish projects receiving a share of £10million to help them pursue green ambitions. At SP Energy Networks, we are awarding a range of innovative projects from e-bike hire schemes and electric bin lorries, through to a micro heat network and community hydropower station.
We share the Scottish Government’s vision of making a cleaner, greener Scotland by accelerating our green economy to deliver a better future, quicker for our customers and communities.
Other innovative projects being supported by the Green Economy Fund include:
- E-Bike hire schemes in Edinburgh and Forth Valley
- STEM Hub at Forth Valley College and Energy Efficiency Training Network at Dundee & Angus College
- Zero Emission buses and the electrification of community transport vehicles
- E-cargo bike: design, development and implementation
- Low-carbon renovations at community hubs
- Replacement of diesel bin lorries with electric refuse collection vehicles
- Battery installation at off-gas homes, creating a ‘virtual power plant’
- Hydro-electric scheme to power rural communities
For more information, visit the Green
Economy Fund website:
www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/gef
