£13.4m to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

A project to help people in social housing get solar panels is one of the projects getting a share of £13.4 million of low carbon funding.

The smart storage project in Aberdeenshire will enable residents in social housing to make the best use of solar panels.

It is being funded by the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP), which will also be funding a new absorption chiller for the Mackie’s ice cream plant in Aberdeenshire and a district heat network for the Shawfair housing development in Midlothian.

The £60 million fund focuses on supporting three priority areas outlined in Scotland’s Energy Strategy: low carbon heating solutions, integrated energy systems and ultra-low emission vehicle infrastructure schemes.

Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s Energy Minister, visited Glasgow Science Centre’s “Powering the Future” touring exhibition in Larbert to announce the fund.

Mr Wheelhouse said:

“Since 2015 the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) has provided financial support to some of our most innovative energy projects, including Nova Innovation’s Tidal Energy Storage project in Shetland, and has transformed the lives of the residents of Fair Isle by helping provide 24 hour electricity for the first time.

“This latest announcement of funding offers will help further develop our low carbon capabilities as we continue to attract, retain and advance low carbon innovations.

“Scotland has tremendous resource and skills in the low carbon economy and the transition to a more prosperous, low carbon and circular economy also presents a valuable economic opportunity. The LCITP continues to help place Scotland at the forefront of the low carbon transition and support our wider programmes to meet our world-leading climate change targets.”