Energy Technology Centre secures €3 million funding

A Scottish centre of excellence in sustainable energy technology has secured €3 million of European funding, which will see it undergo a complete refurbishment to develop it into an exemplar of low carbon renovation.

The funding will allow the Energy Technology Centre in East Kilbride to develop and showcase sustainable building products and systems as part of a flagship EU project.

The centre, established in 2005 by Scottish Enterprise, currently supports the commercialisation of sustainable energy technologies including transportation, power generation and the built environment.

Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism announced the funding from the EU REGAIN Project, during a visit to the centre today (26 May 2009).

REGAIN aims to encourage the use of innovative products, services and methodologies in the development and refurbishment of buildings. The €3 million funding will enable the Energy Technology Centre to develop and test a number of sustainable building products and designs including low energy construction products, lighting, heating and power systems.

Liz Connolly, regional director, Scottish Enterprise, said: “The significant funding that the Energy Technology Centre has secured is an excellent endorsement of our work in supporting the commercialisation of sustainable energy technologies. Today’s announcement will firmly position the Energy Technology Centre and Scotland at the heart of the development of low carbon building technologies.

“The centre offers an unrivalled platform to develop, test, demonstrate and showcase a range of renewable energy technologies and the REGAIN project will enable companies in Scotland to access a range of opportunities throughout the five-year project and help take indigenous sustainable products to market. Through design, build and monitoring, the project will provide valuable knowledge about the refurbishment of existing buildings in a low carbon manner and help to tackle the issue of ageing building stock in Scotland and the rest of Europe.”

Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, said:

“Moving to a low carbon economy presents huge opportunities for Scotland, with new jobs in green energy technology research and development. The need to upgrade our existing buildings, many with poor energy standards, to meet ambitious climate change targets is just one example.

“This project will help us test and market energy efficiency and low carbon innovations for the built environment, helping us another step towards the goal of becoming the green energy capital of Europe.”