Extra cash for energy loans scheme

Feb 7 2012

A scheme which gives businesses in Scotland loans to help them cut their energy bills is to receive a further £2.5 million.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing hailed the initiative as he announced the extra cash was being made available for interest-free loans.

More than 100 small and medium-sized firms borrowed money, totalling £2.5 million, in this financial year, the most in any year since the scheme started in 2008.

The Scottish Government has now invested more than £10 million in the initiative since it began.

Mr Ewing said: "The small business loans scheme goes from strength to strength and is helping SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) across Scotland cut energy costs, increase their competitiveness and help Scotland go low carbon.

"Thanks to new funding of £2.5 million, even more small businesses will now be able to use interest-free loans to become more energy efficient and cut costs."

Mr Ewing, speaking at the Scottish Energy and Environment Conference in Ayr, added: "This scheme is a vital part of the Government's economic strategy to make Scotland a truly low carbon economy, and there has never been a better time for business to make that transition."