Former paper mill regeneration boosted by government grant

Guardbridge’s Eden Campus has been awarded £100,000 from the Scottish Government.

St Andrews University has transformed the former paper mill into a £25 million green energy centre which pumps hot water to heat its buildings at the North Haugh.

It also intends to further develop the site, where 350 staff are to be relocated, as a hub for innovation and technology development in a project which could create 500 jobs.

The grant from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme is just under the £215,000 needed for an investment grade business case.

Eden Campus was among 12 green energy projects to share in £2.6 million distributed.

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish Government has set some of the most ambitious carbon reduction targets on the planet, exceeding the requirements of the Paris agreement, and is making excellent progress towards meeting them.

“We have also set our sights on eradicating fuel poverty, which is an unacceptable blight on too many households in Scotland in 2017, as energy prices have risen steadily at a time when wages have been depressed due to a weak UK economy and austerity.

“These twin challenges drive our ambition for innovative local energy projects, such as those for which we are today announcing £2.6 million of funding, as these will provide many consumers, including in some of Scotland’s most remote areas, with an alternative, greener, and potentially cheaper energy source.”