Information relating to funding Transformation Low Carbon (TLC) Demonstrator: FOI release

Information requested

 

I am looking to obtain information relating to the allocation and use of funding under the LCITP TRANSFORMATION LOW CARBON (TLC) DEMONSTRATOR – FUNDING 2017.

A number of projects were awarded £43M in funding in 2017 by the Scottish Government LCITP team with each project bound by specific time restrictions to draw down on funding allocations and were required to demonstrate eligibility criteria with the focus being on demonstration of the technology at scale - hence the obvious demonstrator categorisation

 

Response

 

You asked three specific questions, responses to each are provided in turn below.

 

1. Can you provide details of what value was allocated by LCITP to each project, when these funds were specifically drawn down in relation to the deadlines provided and used by each project and outline any outstanding activities to close out this round of investment?

Information on projects that were offered financial support through the LCITP Transformational Low Carbon Demonstrator Call in March 2017 is publicly available on the LCITP website and can be accessed using the link below:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/low-carbon-infrastructure-transition-programme-supported-projects-2017/

Of those projects highlighted on the table:

• Two projects were offered funding in March 2017 voluntarily withdrew from the process and therefore did not receive any capital funds;
• Three projects re-scoped their proposals, therefore final grant awards were amended downwards accordingly;
• Ten projects submitted full and final claims and supporting evidence by the mandatory deadline of 7 December 2018;
• Five projects have completed full and final project commissioning, four of which concluded drawdown of full capital funds by 31 December 2018 with the fifth project’s documentation currently being processed;
• Four projects require to complete full and final commissioning by 22 March 2019 and one project is required to complete full and final commissioning by 30 June 2019;
• The 10% retention will be released when commissioning of the projects is achieved and independently verified providing this takes place by 22 March 2019 or by 30 June 2019 respectively; and
• In the event that commissioning of any project cannot be verified by these dates, payment of the 10% retention will not be processed in line with the conditions of the programme.

 

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the specific details of the information requested in question 1. This exemption applies because disclosure of specific project names would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of project developers and investors.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.  We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

 

2. Can you also provide details of any projects that were originally considered, approved and subsequently removed from the funding support process and the reasons for this removal?

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to information requested in question 2. This exemption applies because disclosure of specific project names would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of project developers and investors.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.  We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

 

3. Can you also provide details of the relevant minister who authorised the removal of any such project from the LCITP scope?

The Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme sits within the ministerial portfolio for the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.

 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.