SSE announces over £100m investment opportunity in ‘Sustainable Glasgow’ vision

SSE ("Scottish and Southern Energy") is aiming to help Glasgow achieve its ambitious goal of being one of Europe’s most sustainable cities by investing over £100m in the city over the next five years.

SSE has worked closely with Glasgow City Council and the University of Strathclyde, the UK’s leading university in power engineering and energy research, over the past twelve months to help deliver the City’s Energy Master plan’ a study aimed at identifying how Glasgow can contribute to tackling climate change by delivering major carbon emission reductions.

As a result of this research, SSE has produced a low carbon technology city plan identifying the most suitable locations for low carbon technology solutions. Through studies specifically on the Renewables and Energy Management Reports, SSE reveals a number of UK first projects, including:

• The potential creation of a biogas network within the City, using its own waste streams as a fuel which will help Glasgow achieve its sustainable ambitions in a cost efficient way. This would bring considerable benefits to the wider economy through new business opportunities and potential for hundreds of real, green, value-adding jobs within Glasgow. SSE already employs over one thousand people in Greater Glasgow in a range of energy sector roles.

• The launch of a unique energy tariff, specifically developed to support the ‘Sustainable Glasgow’ vision. Available later this year, this product will reward and financially incentivise Glaswegians who reduce their own home’s energy usage, and help them take action in their management of household energy use by offering them help and advice on how to reduce consumption. The tariff will make a significant financial contribution to future sustainable projects in the City which will bring wider benefits to the community, including some of Glasgow’s most fuel poor homes most in need of an energy refurbishment programme.

• SSE plans to regenerate communities in Glasgow through its not for profit Scottish Hydro Community Interest Company, set up specifically to focus directly on carbon reduction and other sustainable energy projects in the City. These include energy efficiency, fuel poverty programmes, community volunteering and charitable work. Revenue generated from the new sustainable tariff, when launched, will be targeted to those who need it most. It will be added to SSE’s £15million CESP and CERT investment already earmarked for future sustainable projects, prioritising the low income and vulnerable homes. It will focus on those people living in regeneration projects in the social housing sector first. SSE is already working with Glasgow Housing Association and its partners to help people reduce consumption in the existing housing stock by introducing loft insulation and external cladding before installing some form of sustainable technology.

Group Services Director Jim McPhillimy said: "SSE is proud to be part of Glasgow’s visionary transformation into one of Europe’s most sustainable cities. We want to help make sure Glasgow’s sustainability credentials are fully recognised at a national and international level and we are well placed to partner Glasgow City Council in realising that ambition."

He added: "Our purpose is to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way, and our core values include sustainability – a value we share with Glasgow. We look forward to being part of this exciting future for the city because we believe ‘Sustainable Glasgow’ will bring real environmental, economic and social benefits within a very short period of time. We are delighted to play a full part in helping realise this ambition."