Three companies have been awarded a share of a £25 million fund to help develop greener fuel technology and boost local industry in the UK.
All the successful projects will use waste products which would otherwise be disposed of and turn them into biofuels, fuelling cars and lorries.
The funding will help the successful SMEs in Edinburgh, Teesside and Swindon invest in new premises and technology which will help generate over 5,000 new jobs by 2030, open up international markets and promote the renewable energy sector. The projects will boost Scotland, the Northern Powerhouse and Wiltshire and the UK economy as a whole.
“This is a great example of our commitment to innovative transport technology and supporting jobs and growth,” Transport Minister Andrew Jones said. “Biofuels have an important role to play in keeping Britain moving forward in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way. This £25 million is not only a vital investment in technology that will help secure a greener future but will also support the creation of thousands of jobs.”
Edinburgh-based Celtic Renewables has been awarded £11 million to fund a new plant to make biofuels from Scotch whisky by-products, with plans to open another three commercial plants across Scotland in the future.
Advanced Plasma Power, in Swindon, will receive £11 million to help develop biofuels from ordinary household waste.
Nova Pangaea Technologies Ltd, based in Tees Valley, will receive £3 million to help make biofuels from forestry waste.