THIRTEEN of Scotland’s most innovative low-carbon transport and heating projects, from electric buses to water-powered underground heat pumps, were today awarded multi-million pound funding from SP Energy Networks’ £20m Green Economy Fund. The fund, established earlier this year by the electricity network operator, supports the ambitious green targets of the Scottish Government to boost local economic growth, improve air quality in our cities and deliver a better future, quicker. Almost £6million has been awarded after the first round of funding applications – including a ground-breaking new partnership with First Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest bus operator, to bring the first large passenger electric buses to Glasgow. And in a double boost for the city’s green transport systems, the Green Economy Fund will also ensure the city’s only previous electric bus, which was set to stop running because of a lack of funding, will continue to operate on its popular museums route for the next three months. In Edinburgh, a mini hydro-electric scheme on the Water of Leith at Saughton Park will also receive funding as will an innovative app which tracks electric vehicle charging points. City of Edinburgh Council’s refurbishment of Saughton Park to introduce a micro-hydro scheme to power ground source heat pumps that will in turn produce electricity for community facilities, the Winter Gardens glasshouse, electric vehicle charge points and park lighting.
SP Energy Networks 13th Nov 2018 read more »