SP Energy Networks has helped create 705 direct and indirect jobs through a £20million Green Economy Fund that has invested in projects across Central and Southern Scotland over the last three years.

The fund, which launched in 2018, has invested in the country’s most innovative green projects including electrification of transport networks, low carbon heat projects and training young people in renewable technologies. From an electric vehicle charging app developer to battery installation engineers, SP Energy Networks has supported 705 job opportunities during one of the most challenging periods in Scottish employment history.

The Green Economy Fund has also created a highly skilled workforce of the future by supporting projects that educated 2,041 students in low carbon technologies and inspiring young people across Scotland to consider future careers in science, technology, engineering or maths.
Over the last three years, the Green Economy Fund has purchased 53 electric vehicles which have travelled almost 440,000 miles – the equivalent of travelling around the world 18 times using green energy instead of diesel.

The fund has also helped save the equivalent of 637 tonnes of CO2, assisted 7,825 vulnerable customers with energy issues, installed 39 electric vehicle charging points, and provided training for 147 community organisations and their stakeholders.

Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive of SP Energy Networks, said: “Our Green Economy Fund has supported some of Scotland’s most exciting projects over the last three years and our investment has helped them take a giant step forward in creating a greener Scotland for everyone.

“Scotland has always been a nation of innovators and since launching we have supported 35 highly innovative projects. We believe in supporting our communities by investing directly in projects that deliver low carbon solutions and creating local economic benefits that come from moving to zero carbon.

“It’s vital that no community is left behind in the transition to net zero emissions. We need a green economy that delivers a better future quicker for everyone.”

High profile electric vehicle and heat projects funded by the Green Economy Fund include:
• Funding two all-electric buses for First Glasgow as it became the city’s first commercial bus operator to introduce state-of-the-art fully-electric vehicles onto a commercial bus route since the 1960s
• Financing five brand new 100% electric minibuses and two fully electric people carriers for Community Transport Scotland
• Providing 5 e-cargo bikes to SoulRiders for Scotland’s first ever integrated e-cargo bike delivery and food waste service
• Installing battery storage technology to ultimately around 150 off-gas homes in Dumfries and Galloway to help families in social housing save up to 70% off the cost of their energy bills each month.
• Launching four electric double decker buses in partnership with Lothian – a first for Edinburgh.
• Supporting HALO Kilmarnock Ltd to deliver of a sustainable, low carbon energy system to support the site and community.
• Providing Forth Valley College with the tools to outreach work focusing on renewables, aimed at nurseries, primary and secondary schools.
• Investing in Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s biggest regeneration programme, to install one of the country’s most innovative and sustainable heating systems.
• Funding four electric vehicles for Teviot Electric Car Club to provide easy, affordable access to low-carbon transport to local residents in Hawick.
• Working with Dumfries and Galloway College to provide heat and power technologies as teaching aids for STEM hub.

To read the full report on SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund please visit: https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/gef_final_report_2021.aspx