Energys Group has welcomed the announcement that even more higher education institutions in Scotland could benefit from a £19 million programme aimed at boosting energy efficiency.
However, it is urging interested parties to express their interest before the deadline closes at the end of July 2019.
Launched by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and supported by Salix Finance, the fund will provide accessible support and finance for carbon reduction throughout the sector and build capacity for funding in additional years, to benefit both students and staff.
The funding, which comes from the Universities for the Future programme, will be allocated by SFC over the next two financial years. All universities within Scotland are invited to make use of the funding which will support several initiatives, including collaboration between public sector bodies, reduced maintenance backlogs through energy efficiency projects, and improved student experience through modernised estates.
The programme will support a wide range of technologies, including building fabric improvements, efficient heating upgrades and the reduction of carbon emissions in laboratories.
David Beards, senior policy officer at SFC, commented, “This programme is aimed at helping Scottish universities with projects that lower their carbon footprint, as well as increasing their energy efficiency and enhancing students’ learning environment. It is a timely and significant opportunity for universities to take advantage of, following the First Minister’s recent declaration of a climate emergency, and we look forward to receiving innovative bids from the sector in partnership with Salix.”
To date, 20 Scottish universities benefit from funding from the SFC. Energys Group believes the latest programme could open doors for even more establishments to boost energy efficiency, and is encouraging them to express their interest before the deadline of July 31st.
Kevin Cox, managing director of Energys Group, added, “We are delighted that more higher education establishments in Scotland could benefit from this latest round of energy efficiency funding. This is an important step forward in the decarbonisation of educational buildings through improvements in energy efficiency. The impact of climate change is now a matter of concern for all generations and the need for urgent action is undeniable. We urge Scottish universities to take advantage of this cash to implement the necessary steps to reduce their carbon footprint for the benefit of the environment – and their bottom line. It’s a win-win scenario.”