‘Green heating’ research boosted by £18m funding

ALMOST £18m is to be provided by the Scottish Government, to support research and develop ‘green heating’ systems.

The £17.6m funding – to be administered via the government agency, Scottish Enterprise – is part of a programme which the Scottish Government describes as a “new drive… to develop Scotland’s green heat sector and ensure the right people, skills and technology are in place to make homes and buildings warmer, greener and cheaper to run”.

Says the government, here, other key commitments – in the ‘Supply Chains Delivery Plan’ – include:

• a review of support for green skills and training;

• investment in a new mobile training centre for heat pump installation; 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 help develop a pipeline of low-carbon infrastructure projects, including retrofitting existing buildings. 

In October 2020, the Scottish Government convened an expert advisory Ggroup of stakeholders from across industry to provide a series of recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the potential scope of a Heat Pump Sector Deal.

The group’s final report was published on December 2 last year. The Scottish Government’s response to the final report was published three days ago, outlining the actions we are taking to address the advisory group’s recommendations. The recommendations have informed the development of the Supply Chains Delivery Plan.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland