FOI/202500496802 · FOI/EIR · unclear
Scottish Government funded “just transition” projects: EIR release
Information requested
Can I please request the following information under Freedom of Information legislation:
1. A list of Scottish Government-funded “just transition” projects that have been cancelled, delayed, or underspent in from 2019-20 to 2024-25. 2. For each project, please provide (where held):
1. project name 2. funding allocated 3. funding spent 4. reason for cancellation, delay, or underspend.
Response
Please find below a detailed breakdown of projects financed by the Just Transition Fund which have either been cancelled, delayed, or under-spent. It is important to note that all funds disbursed to date through the Just Transition Fund encompass academic institutions, third sector entities (including charities, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations), as well as local authorities.
Category Recipient/Organisation Project Description Funding Duration Total Initial funding Given/Award Total Actual Funds Spent 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Reason for underspend Underspend Moray Council Just Transition Masterplan – Moray Council Five interlinked projects to support Moray’s journey away from fossil fuels, including projects to support offshorerenewables, creation of local hydrogen economy, natural capital approach to offsetting, and redeveloping derelict land and premises. 2022 - 2024 £881 k £638,983.30 £250,544.62 £388,438.68 Organisation/council unable to utilise the full allocated funding within the specified timeframe. Underspend Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire,and Moray Councils NESS Carbon CaptureFe asibility Study Study to determine if there is a viable project to retrofit carbon capture systems to the NESS energy facility. 2022 - 2023 £100k £96,750 £96,750 Project was able to be successfully completed at a cost below the initially anticipated funding request. Underspend Social Investment Scotland Social Enterprise Just Transition Fund Delivery of a blended finance approach(part loan/part grant) focused on supporting charities and social enterprises to transition to net zero. 2022 - 2024 £1.5 million £1,016,085 £488,085 £528,000 Due to reduced demand / less projects supported in 2023-24 Underspend University of the Highlandsand Islands (UHI Moray) Moray Net ZeroBot tlenecks Collaborative study focused on the current and future skills requirements and labour supply chain bottlenecks in Moray as it transitions to Net Zero 2022 - 2024 £210,000 £181,789.79 £41,596.47 £140,193.32 Project being able to be delivered for less than originallyawarded. Underspend Energy Skills Passport OPITO Development and deployment of a digital offshore energy skills passport to support the transition of skills and jobs across the rapidly changing industry. 2022 -2024 £4,996,100 £3,703,609.57 £1,871,967.88 £1,831,641.69 Project was originally allocated £4.9 million. Underspend resulted from delays and slippages in delivery, driven in part by challenges OPITO encountered in gaining the support of broader industry stakeholders. Underspend Opportunity North East North East Adventure Tourism Project to transform the region into a world class destination for adventure tourism by facilitating the development of high quality, sustainable facilities and low carbon infrastructure. 2022 -2024 £2.097 million £1,690,674.13 £397,000 £1,293,674.13 Delays in completing the Organisations; Gravitate North East project due to challenges in developing the project sustainably, compounded by construction delays caused by weather and natural environmental factors. Underspend & Extended Findhorn, Nairn, and Lossie Rivers Trust Findhorn WatershedRiverwoods Pilot Habitat restoration of the Findhorn watershed, beginning with an unbroken network of riparian woodland along its riverbanks, supporting the restoration of Wild Atlantic Salmon populations. 2022 - 2025 £970,000 £890,908.45 £139,972.45 £434,098 £316,838 Originally funded from 2022-24 but extended to finish March 2025. Underspend due to planned woodland planting scheme which was unable to be agreed and delivered within time available. Extended Energy Transition Skills Hub (formerly Advanced Manufacturing Skills Hub) Energy Transition Zone Ltd The Skills Hub will be a focal point of the Energy Transition Zone Skills Campus and will aim to deliver the skills and training needed to support net zero transition. 2022 - 2024 £4.5 million N/A £1,180,000 £470,000 £2,850,000 Originally funded from 2022-24 but extended to finish March 2025. Extended HydroGlen The James Hutton Institute Green hydrogen farming pilot to acquire new knowledge to switch from increasingly high levels of fuel poverty to self-reliant, net-zero carbon energy producers in rural communities. 2022 - 2026 £6,968,203.94 N/A £262,270 £1,248,412.94 £1,987,031 £3,470,490 Originally funded from 2022-25 but extended to finish March 2026. Extension was due to wind turbine supply chain delays.
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