The third round of the SBHS was announced on 20th May and a total of £3.2 million has been allocated to projects - £1.2 million in the Highlands & Islands and £2.0 million in the Lowlands & Uplands.
Limited funds remain and can only be made available for projects which can be completed by March 2011. We are therefore making a final call for projects across Scotland. We are interested in biomass heat only projects from any organisation which is not eligible for either SRDP or CARES funding. We are particularly interested in projects which address the priorities detailed below.
Projects interested in applying for funding should submit either a full application form or complete an Initial Enquiry Form with initial project details. You will be advised within four weeks from receipt of the initial project details whether your project is a priority for fast-tracking.
Projects must address the SBHS aims as set out in the application guidance and clearly demonstrate that they can complete by March 2011. Therefore projects which have a completed specification, planning permission, match finance in place and can demonstrate a secure fuel supply will be a priority for fast-tracking. Priority will also be given to projects from:
The call will remain open until 30th September 2010 or until the remaining funding has been allocated and closure of the SBHS announced, whichever is sooner.
If you have any questions or wish to request an application form, please get in touch with the SBHS team. The SBHS team will then carry out a rapid appraisal to assess whether the project is a priority for fast-tracking through the formal assessment process.
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THIRD ROUND OF THE SBHS
Awards in the third round of the SBHS were announced by Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism at All Energy on 20th May 2010. To see a list of the successful applicants please follow the link above.
SBHS - BACKGROUND
Download the SBHS Factsheet (pdf 80kb)
On 6th October 2008, the Scottish Government launched its Renewable Energy Framework consultation and announced it would run a round of funding for biomass, specifically to encourage renewable heat use by businesses and in district heating demonstrators. This has been followed by the Renewable Heat Action Plan launched on 5th November 2009.
The £3.3 million Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme is Scotland-wide, funded by Scottish Government, Forestry Commission Scotland and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Of this, £1.3 million is available in the Highlands & Islands area and £2 million in the Lowlands & Uplands Scotland area.
The SBHS provides grants for the installation of biomass heating systems in business premises and district heating demonstrators. The SBHS will support for small-medium sized enterprises, and is restricted to heat-only biomass applications. The Scottish Government would particularly welcome applications for district heating demonstrators from private developers.
Key drivers are:
• increased take-up of renewable heat use by businesses;
• the strategic transformation of the Scottish woodfuel market;
• supporting rural economies by creating sustainable green jobs;
• contributing to renewable energy targets;
• maximising carbon savings.
Priority will be given to businesses who are not eligible for other funding streams, such as the Scotland Rural Development Programme. Communities and local authorities are eligible for the Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and will not be considered under the SBHS. Please see below for further information on alternative funding schemes or contact Forestry Commission Scotland’s Biomass Advice Network.
We would strongly recommend discussing your project at an early stage with our Regional Biomass Advice Network. You can either contact them directly or complete our ‘Initial Enquiry’ form, which asks for brief details of your proposal. Our network of Biomass Development Officers will be able to advise you on the suitability of your project for the SBHS and other sources of advice and support which may be available.
Please note that submission of an Initial Enquiry Form does NOT constitute an application to the scheme. Full application forms, which are available to download here, must be completed and submitted as soon as possible to be considered for the third round of the SBHS. Our Biomass Development Officers provide advice and information to help you with this process.
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INITIAL ENQUIRIES
Please complete the Initial Enquiry Form (Word, 280kb) and submit by email or post to:
SBHS Administration
Forestry Commission Scotland,
"Woodlands"
Fodderty Way
Dingwall
IV15 9XB
Email: biomass.scotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Phone: 01349 860919
On receipt of a completed form you will be contacted by one of our network of Biomass Development Officers and/or other relevant member our Regional Biomass Advice Network to discuss your proposal further.
Please note that following submission of an Initial Enquiry, a full application form must be submitted to be considered for the SBHS.
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