This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for green energy projects
26/03/2007
More than 70 biomass projects across Scotland are to share £10.5 million in a programme aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by 37,000 tonnes a year.
One week after boosting the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme by £3 million to a total of £10.5 million, Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen today revealed that the funding pot is to be shared across 74 schemes.
Attending the SCARF (Save Cash and Reduce Fuel) Conference in Aberdeen, Mr Stephen said:
"Today I am allocating £10.5 million investment in green energy to drive forward 74 innovative renewables projects around the country.
"I am determined that Scotland becomes the renewable energy powerhouse of Europe. We have a real opportunity to be leaders in the green energy industry and these biomass projects represent a significant step forward for our renewable ambitions.
"Through our Biomass Support Scheme we will see carbon savings of 37,000 tonnes per annum, supporting up to 50 MW of green energy production.
"One of the projects, the Seaton Combined Heat and Power District Heating Scheme in Aberdeen, will deliver heat to around 1,000 homes while saving over 3,800 tonnes of CO2 per year and reducing fuel bills by over £60.
"Such was the demand for a share of our Biomass Support Scheme that I recently allocated additional funding of £3 million to allow many more renewable energy projects to benefit.
"It is vital that we continue to support renewable technologies like biomass to ensure a clean, green environment and capitalise on this emerging industry for a vibrant Scottish economy."
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"Biomass is an important renewable resource and in Scotland we need to continue to boost its potential as a contribution to our climate change programme.
"Forestry Commission Scotland is working hard with the biomass industry and rural businesses to strengthen supply chains and to build on the growing woodfuel market. The funding announced today will help stimulate more private businesses to cater for the current demand of around 150,000 tonnes of wood for woodfuel."
Just five of the projects to receive funding through the Biomass Support Scheme are:
Project 1
Seaton CHP District Heating Scheme - Woodchip (Aberdeen Heat and Power Limited)
This heating system is the third to be build by City of Aberdeen in four years. The scheme will serve up to 1,000 multi-storey dwellings. It will displace the use of natural gas as the primary fuel.
Equipment - 1.4MW CHP gasifier
Households - 1,000 homes
CO2 savings - 3,831 tonnes per annum
Grant offer - £400,000
Project 2
Port Charlotte Bruichladdich Distillery, Islay.
This system will create a 100 per-cent carbon free distillery in the village of Port Charlotte. This distillery is the only independent distillery on the island, and is to be refurbished and re-opened. Equipment 4,500 Kw biomass boiler
Households - For business use only
CO2 savings - 1,500 tonnes per annum
Grant offer - £400,000
Project 3
Muirton Energy Project (Perthshire Housing Association)
This project will install a CHP biomass system to provide energy for 340 households.
Equipment - 1 400kWe boiler and 1 MWth boiler
Households - 340
CO2 savings - 1,100 tonnes per annum
Grant offer - £400,000
Project 4
MacPhie of Glenbervie Ltd (Stonehaven)
This project will create the first large industrial biomass process steam plant in Scotland.
Equipment 2,500kW biomass boiler
Households - For business use only
CO2 savings 2,100 tonnes per annum
Grant offer £400,000
Project 5
Home Farm Portree - Biomass District Heating Scheme (Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association) Install biomass district Heating to 128 new build (social housing) dwellings.
Equipment 600 kW boiler
Households 128
CO2 savings 1,174 per annum
Grant offer £400,000
The Scottish Biomass Support Scheme was opened for expressions of interest in November 2006 with initial funding of £7.5 million and an additional £3 million announced in March 2007.
The additional £3 million for the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme has been made available from extra central resources for 2006-07.