Energy Minister Jim Mather has announced a package of support from the European Regional Development Fund for renewable energy and low carbon economy projects.

Together, the package of measures delivers the Scottish Government's commitment to support low carbon innovation, set out in our Low Carbon Economic Strategy.

It represents a strategic intervention to support the development of the low carbon economy in Scotland, that accelerates Scotland's lead across the whole range of low carbon energy technologies - with support for industry and academic collaboration from Marine energy to offshore wind, to carbon capture and storage, and to power systems.

The £6.9 million includes £1.05 million to the Energy Technology Partnership of Scotland's universities to enable the Partnership to expand and consolidate its position as Europe's leading energy research hub. With this money, the universities will be able to work more closely with industry to turn Scotland's academic excellence into commercial products that can power the low carbon revolution.

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It also includes £800,000 for Fife's Adam Smith College to help companies develop new and innovative products, an £831,000 grant to provide skills training at Dundee College and almost £300,000 pounds to improve infrastructure in Peterhead for the offshore wind, wave and tidal industries.

Mr Mather said: "These significant investments from the European Regional Development Fund are being made to help position Scotland firmly at the forefront of innovation, research and development in clean, green renewable energy - and deliver the commitment set out in our Low Carbon Economic Strategy to support low carbon innovation.

"The breadth of projects being supported - from academic-led initiatives to local authority and enterprise agency programmes - demonstrate how the development of a low carbon economy has become central to our growth strategy.

"These projects will help us to sustain the economic recovery underway in Scotland and further capitalise on our natural competitive advantages in renewable energy, which are crucial to our future success as a nation."

Dr Simon Puttock, Executive Director of the Energy Technology Partnership, added: "The Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) welcomes this award to accelerate the development of low carbon technologies. Our new Knowledge Exchange Network will greatly increase collaboration between industry and ETP's world class research base, for the benefit of business and Scotland's low carbon economy."

(GK/KMcA)