The Chancellor and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury today visited Nigg on the Cromarty Firth, where they announced around £100 million of additional funding for Scottish renewable energy, including marine renewables.
This announcement is additional to the existing budget and spending plans of the Scottish Government. It represents a significant boost for renewable energy in Scotland and will help drive the development of this important sector.
The agreement reached between the UK and Scottish Governments will enable the Scottish Government to access and spend half of the Scottish Fossil Fuel Levy fund, which currently holds around £200 million. The remaining £100 million will be made available to support the capitalisation of the £3 billion UK-wide Green Investment Bank.
As any further funds become available in the Scottish Fossil Fuel Levy fund, they will be split equally between the two governments.
This settlement follows a review of the issue in the last Spending Review and subsequent discussions between the UK Government and the Scottish Government.
Speaking from Nigg, the Chancellor said:
“Today the UK Government is making sure that it gives certainty to the renewable sector in Scotland by providing an additional £100 million in funding.
“The UK Coalition Government is committed to creating jobs across Scotland – particularly in the green energy sector. It’s great news that we have been able to cut through the arguments and the wrangling with the Scottish Government that have stopped this money being invested in the past. It shows how serious the UK Government is in its support for Scotland’s green future.”
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury , said:
“Scotland is a world player in renewable energy and visiting Nigg today has highlighted the potential for developing this sector even further. It has huge potential for creating jobs and driving growth over the next few years.
“I am very pleased to announce this £100 million in additional funding for the Scottish Government, which will directly help renewable and particularly marine energy development in Scotland. The UK Government is strongly committed to supporting the growth of this sector in Scotland in the long term.”
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Source: hm-treasury, November 11, 2011