Monday 14 November 2022

Scotland announces £17.6m to fuel green heat economy

The Scottish Government has pledged £17.6 million of funding to support research and the development of new green heating solutions and fuel the green heat economy.

The Green Heat Innovation Support Programme, which is now open, will be delivered by Scottish Enterprise and is part of the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan, which sets out the practical steps that will be taken to support the growth of the green heat industry.

Other key commitments by the Scottish Government include a review of support for green skills and training, investment in a new mobile training centre for heat pump installations and a new programme of industry engagement with a focus on working with installers in the heat and energy efficiency supply chain.

In addition, more than £800,000 of Green Growth Accelerator funding is being awarded across all local authorities this year to support the development of a pipeline of low carbon infrastructure projects, including retrofitting existing buildings.

Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Reducing emissions from our building stock forms a vital part of delivering on our climate obligations and our Heat in Buildings Strategy sets a hugely ambitious vision to cut carbon and improve energy efficiency across Scotland’s homes over the coming years.

“Building a strong, skilled supply chain that’s capable of delivering at scale in all areas of Scotland is central to the delivery of the strategy. The development of our heating industry should be seen not only as a challenge which must be met in order to deliver on our ambitions, but as a substantial opportunity for the economy.”