GovWire

Three companies have been awarded a share of a 25 million fund to help develop greener fuel technology and boost local industry, Transport Minister Andrew Jones announced today (7 September 2015).

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.

Transport minister Andrew Jones said:

This is a great example of our commitment to innovative transport technology and supporting jobs and growth.

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.

Advanced biofuels have the potential to save at least 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions from the equivalent fossil fuel. The 3 successful bids show how the government is investing in transport and making better, clean journeys.

The winning schemes are:

• Celtic Renewables, based in Edinburgh, has been awarded 11 million to fund a new plant to make biofuels from Scotch whisky by-products, with plans to open a further 3 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

Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP visited Celtic Renewables on Monday 7 September 2015 to see first-hand how the financial support would enable them to turn low value by-products into high-value low carbon transport fuel. The technique could transform the Scottish Whisky industry and generate up to 100 million of transport fuel a year from its by-products.

The latest biofuels use low value waste products to produce high value fuel and will help power modes of transport that cannot be electrified in the near future such as heavy lorries or even aircraft. The UK government competition was introduced to overcome barriers to investment by offering matched funding to support the construction of pre-commercial scale demonstration plants in the UK.

Related biofuels documents

• Edinburgh firm wins share of 25 million UK government prize to develop greener fuel technology, published 7 September 2015
• Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition, written ministerial statement by Andrew Jones, published 7 September 2015

View the original news story