THE Scottish Government has announced the first projects to benefit from its programme aimed at driving investment in low carbon infrastructure.
Coming from five different council areas, the pathfinder projects range from the development of hydrogen hubs to the restoration of peatland and energy efficiency upgrades of buildings.
Up to £1 million will be provided by the Scottish Government to support the development phase of the programme, which it said could unlock £40 million of local government investment in green infrastructure.
The pathfinder projects are:
- Aberdeen City Council – Hydrogen Programme – includes portable hydrogen refuelling module, expansion of hydrogen bus fleet, conversion of refuse collection vehicles and development of solar farm.
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Net Zero Hub – hydrogen production infrastructure and equipment.
- City of Edinburgh Council – EnerPHit – upgrades to up to 12 council buildings, using the EnerPHit energy and comfort standard approach.
- Highland Council – Climate Action Coastlines – research and implementation of natural coastal adaptation solutions, including tree planting, peatland restoration, sand dune strengthening, saltmarsh restoration, and floodplain development.
- North Lanarkshire Council – Green Park, Green Power, Green Neighbourhood – retrofit of the Watersports Centre at Strathclyde Park, water source heat pump using Strathclyde Loch and installation of solar PV canopies to provide electricity for the heat pump, lighting, and EV charging.
Just transition minister, Richard Lochhead, said, “Scotland’s just transition to a net zero economy must involve bold, ambitious and collective action to deliver emissions reduction and climate resilience whilst doing so in a way that is fair for everyone and leaves no-one behind.
“The green growth accelerator illustrates how, working collaboratively across government, business and communities, we can capitalise on the economic, environmental and social benefits that our journey to net zero present.
“The pathfinder projects have real potential to deliver lasting and long-term benefits for local communities and I look forward to them progressing and, in doing so, testing and demonstrating how we can continue to work together to accelerate vital investment in green infrastructure.”
