Chamber and committees

A financial memorandum is being developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities and will include estimated costs of implementing legislative proposals on early learning and childcare. It will be introduced along with the Children and Young People Bill, at which point funding and the impact on spending review plans can be fully considered.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13067 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-13067 on 8 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Applications to the fund are in the form of Expressions of Interest. To date Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have received 42 Expressions of Interest, with the call remaining open.

When National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF) was set up the overall assessment of the potential scale of the offshore wind industry was 28,000FTE. The purpose of NRIF is to support the development of the supply chain that creates these jobs. This sits alongside other investment measures and support mechanisms from Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise and other public bodies.

The uptake of CHP depends upon the availability of markets for heat. The Scottish Government is working with local authorities to help them identify suitable locations and support planning for CHP and district heating through its Heat Mapping Programme. The heat maps help identify, plan for and maximise opportunities for local heat use and to support investment decisions on strategic heat infrastructure. The maps will not only benefit local authorities, but can also support feasibility work of developers or local communities.

Highland, Fife and Perth and Kinross completed maps through the Scottish Government pilot. A two year programme began in April 2012 to roll out this methodology to all Scotland’s Local Authorities by March 2014. Eight local authorities are beginning work to collect the information for their heat maps. These are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

Communities and public sector institutions can access funding for feasibility studies through the Warm Homes Fund and District Heating Loan Fund, which can also help finance the capital costs of CHP projects. Feasibility support for the development of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities by communities, industrial sites and the NHS is also available from Zero Waste Scotland. Zero Waste Scotland is also planning to offer financial support for AD development in remote and island communities in 2013-14.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12930 on 5 March 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The most recent data published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that between 2009 and 2011, the number of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in Scotland increased by 31, to 116. This includes both renewable and fossil fuel systems.

We do not currently have projections for the number of CHP plants that will be operational in 2020. As set out in the Draft outline Heat Vision published on 29 January 2013, the Scottish Government is developing a longer term strategy that looks at heat in the wider context of available energy resources, and demand. We will publish a Heat Generation Policy Statement (HGPS) later this year. The HGPS will look to replicate and build upon the success of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement in providing clarity on the Scottish Government’s views on the generation of heat within Scotland. Work is underway to gather data and identify where further information is required.

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise remain committed to supporting the development of locations that will attract offshore wind supply chain. The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund remains £70 million. Investment in projects will be assessed on the economic impact of the project and the need for public sector investment.

National Renewables Infrastructure Fund is one of the linchpins to the Scottish Government’s effort to develop an offshore wind sector in Scotland. Initial economic assessment indicates that a cumulative gross value added of £7.1 billion would be achievable if wind farm development proceeds and Scotland secures supply chain opportunities.