A £120 million framework has been launched with the aim of opening up ‘transformative’ opportunities for Scotland’s public sector to accelerate the country’s decarbonisation ambitions.
Now the largest-ever framework from the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) is tipped to play a key role in delivering essential upgrades to public sector buildings including schools, hospitals, social housing, and community spaces.
N9 aims to drive Scotland’s transition to net zero and also address the green skills shortage.
Lesley Anderson, regional director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance, said, “Addressing the green skills gap is going to be vital in supporting Scotland’s energy transition. With an ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled professionals, the demand for green skills far exceeds the current supply. That’s why we’ve pledged to invest a portion of the income generated through the N9 Framework into organisations that are innovating and training the next generation of green-skilled workers, ensuring the sector is equipped to meet both current and future challenges.
“This framework will not only deliver high-quality retrofit solutions, but it will invest in organisations that are nurturing the next generation of green talent, ensuring long-term sustainability for our partners and communities.”
The framework provides public sector bodies with resources for decarbonisation, alongside sourcing consultants to identify grant funding. The framework will encompass services ranging from energy policy development and retrofit design to the installation of advanced heating systems, building management controls, and solar energy solutions.
Lesley added, “The N9 Framework makes it easier for public sector organisations to connect with top-quality contractors while fostering collaboration and innovation. It’s designed to support businesses of all sizes, with dedicated opportunities for small and micro firms to ensure a fair and inclusive approach.
“By accommodating flexible project sizes, from smaller contracts under £750,000 to those exceeding £2.5 million, we’re helping to drive local economic growth while ensuring the framework meets the diverse needs of everyone involved. We also want to make social value a key priority by requiring appointed companies to deliver measurable benefits in individual wellbeing, environmental preservation, and social mobility.”
With a total UK value of £660 million, including projects in England and Wales, the N9 Framework aims to set a national benchmark for energy efficiency and retrofit delivery.
SPA is Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organisation, supporting over 260 suppliers and managing more than 600 active projects valued at £1.1 billion.
