Question reference: S6W-02050
- Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 3 August 2021
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the reopening or replacement of the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
Answer
In April 2020 the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) consulted on future support for low carbon heat, proposing the Green Gas Support and Clean Heat Grant schemes as successors. The Scottish Government responded to the consultation and has separately engaged with BEIS to press the need for replacement schemes to account for particular circumstances in Scotland.
BEIS published its response on the Green Gas Support scheme and associated levy in March 2021. BEIS is yet to issue a response on the Clean Heat Grant. These schemes will provide a reduced level of support to a narrower range of non-domestic heat decarbonisation projects.
The Scottish Government has allocated almost £1.6 billion over this parliament to heat and energy efficiency, including support for non-domestic projects. We already offer a loan and cashback grant offer for SME businesses via the Energy Efficiency Business Support Service and will invest up to £400 million over the next five years in large-scale heat decarbonisation infrastructure, as well as continuing to offer low interest unsecured loans for both district heating low carbon and renewable technology projects in Scotland.