Perth and Kinross to invest £100,000 in renewable businesses
Friday 19 February 2010
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| Perth and Kinross council is specifically attempting to attract hydro-electric and biomass |
A Scottish local authority is putting £100,000 towards creating a renewable energy business cluster.
Perth and Kinross council's budget for 2010/11 includes money that will go towards attracting and supporting biomass and hydro-electric schemes.
There are no targets or mandates for councils on renewable energy generation but Perth and Kinross council has signed up to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration, which is a voluntary scheme seeking to reduce emissions.
Perth and Kinross has achieved the Carbon Trust Standard - awarded to organisations that measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint - in its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, through a range of measures including the introduction of biomass energy systems in Council buildings, for example schools and community campuses.
The council hopes to take advantage of the 30 extant renewable businesses, including contractors, consultants, engineering firms, professional services and businesses services.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), which employs 2,000 people and incorporates a significant renewables subsidiary, has its headquarters in Perth and one of Scotland's two wood pellet generation manufacturers is also based in the area, employing 14 people.
Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller, said the investment would help the area seize a share of this new field of commerce and bring new opportunities to benefit the local environment, people and economy.
He added that the idea was based on similar initiatives in Europe that brought together "businesses with expertise with the potential to diversify into renewable activities."
"This is an exciting new initiative which will help to expand our economy. It will provide an opportunity for Perth and Kinross to capitalise on a growing and very important industry," he said.
"It will also make our area more sustainable and enhance Perth and Kinross' reputation as a sustainable, quality destination, locally, nationally and internationally."
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