,
Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, today announced
the opening of the £10 million fund, which is being
made available to kick-start green innovation across
Scotland’s iconic distillery industry. The move gives
backing to distilleries across the UK to harness energy
sources such as low-carbon hydrogen, biomass and
repurposed waste to power their operations.
The funding will help prevent pollution equivalent to
emissions from 100,000 cars from entering the
atmosphere, contributing towards the UK’s
legally-binding target to reach net zero carbon
emissions by 2050.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister, ,
said:
Our plan to deliver a carbon-neutral future doesn’t
just mean new jobs in new industries but helping some
of our oldest industries to play their part as well.
We want to harness the tremendous innovation of our
distilleries so customers can enjoy their favourite
tipple in the knowledge they are helping us to tackle
climate change.
In 2019, the UK distilleries industry grew by 20%,
demonstrating the opportunity for the sector to be at
the heart of a clean and resilient recovery.
The funding has been welcomed by trade bodies in both
Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are home to the
vast majority of the UK’s world famous distilleries.
Dagmar Droogsma, Director of Industry at the Scotch
Whisky Association, said:
The Scotch Whisky industry welcomed the new Green
Distilling Fund announced in the March Budget as an
important step on our sustainability journey. The use
of innovative technology is among several approaches
that the industry could adopt as it works towards net
zero by 2045, as outlined in our recent net zero
report.
This Fund will provide us with the opportunity to put
forward bids for demonstration projects for so-far
untested technologies, helping the Scotch Whisky
industry play its part in reaching Scotland’s
emissions targets.
Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Northern
Ireland Food and Drink Association, said:
Greening is essential to our industry’s future and
this is to be welcomed. Interestingly, in the last
five years I’ve seen more distilleries in Northern
Ireland than in the last 50.
It’s good to see the Government investing in food and
drink businesses.
Notes to editors
- the Green Distilleries Competition supports the
government’s approach for a clean, resilient recovery
across the UK to support the creation of new jobs in
the distillery sector.
- the funding is supported by the £505 million BEIS
Energy Innovation Portfolio which aims to accelerate
the commercialisation of innovative, cheap, clean and
reliable energy technologies, enabling the UK to meet
its net zero commitment.
- more details, including information on how
distilleries can express interest in the funding, can
be found on the Green
Distilleries Competition page
