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Council agrees East Coast Renewables contribution

Councillors have approved a financial and staffing contribution to a body which will see local authorities work together to maximise the local renewable energy industry.

Since late 2009, a number of local authorities on the East coast of Scotland have been discussing ways of working together on a range of activities to successfully capture the significant economic opportunities offered by the emerging renewables sector.

This includes offshore wind, wave and tidal as well as onshore biomass, hydro and alternative fuel sources.

The authorities involved are Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Angus Council, Dundee City Council, Fife Council, Edinburgh City Council and East Lothian Council.

These discussions have resulted in the creation of East Coast Renewables a collaborative alliance between these local authorities.

The aim is to allow the east coast local authorities to work in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International to develop renewable energy opportunities, and to promote the east coast as a location for investment.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee considered and endorsed a contribution of £29,710 in 2011/12 (£13,710 in cash and £16,000 in existing staff time), towards the cost of East Coast Renewables.

The money comes from the council’s Approved Revenue Budget 2011/2015 and the committee also provided for the same expenditure in 2012/13, the second year of the project.

It is proposed that East Coast Renewables will cooperate on the following: industry research and knowledge exchange, supply chain development (including mapping and establishment of supply chain linkages), defining area capabilities and analysis of gaps, skills for renewables, internationalisation of companies, infrastructure development, research, development and commercialisation activities, regional promotion, external funding, skills and policy and strategy development.

The project will run from 1 June 2011 until 31 May 2013.

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