News

Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme 3rd Round Awards Announced

Thursday 20 May 2010

A restaurant, brewery and a hotel are among businesses across Scotland that will boost the use of renewable heating.

Grants totalling £1.1 million from the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme have been awarded to 16 projects to reduce energy costs, secure jobs in forestry and deliver annual savings of over 7,000 tonnes of carbon - equivalent to taking 3,000 cars off the road.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said:

"A viable renewable heat sector is vital to become a truly low carbon economy. We have the forestry resource and the skills in Scotland and there are many opportunities for businesses to use more biomass heating, especially in areas off the gas grid.

"These Biomass Heat Scheme grants will help a range of different businesses reduce emissions and cut costs, while securing green jobs. The use of more woodfuel will build sustainability into our economy.

"We are working with Forestry Commission Scotland to look at all aspects of supply to maximise the available resource and meet the rising demand for woodfuel. We announced earlier this year that 100 million trees would be planted in Scotland by 2015, providing more sustainable materials for biomass heating."

Daniel Borisewitz, Policy Manager Bioenergy and Heat at Scottish Renewables, said:

"Since 2008, the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme has been instrumental in the development of the renewable heating solutions throughout the country. This latest round of funding further demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to the sector and will provide the necessary upfront capital to develop viable projects in the interim period before the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive."

The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme is Scotland-wide, with funding of £3.3 million over two years from April 2009 to March 2011. The Scheme is managed in partnership between Scottish Government and Forestry Commission Scotland, with funding from the Highlands & Islands and Lowlands & Upland Scotland European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is targeted at businesses, specifically small and medium sized enterprises.

The scheme also encourages the development of district heating demonstrators from private developers. The maximum grant available is £100,000, although additional support for district heating projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

See the list of successful applications.