SCOTLAND BENEFITS FROM EURO MILLIONS.

SCOTLAND BENEFITS FROM EURO MILLIONS.

EURO MILLIONS TO BENEFIT GREEN SCOTLAND.

Significant European funding will be heading to Scotland to support energy
projects, with the possibility of EU funding for broadband infrastructure,
as part of the EU's economic recovery plan.

The EU's £3.5 billion plan for 2009 and 2010 will support electricity and
gas interconnections, offshore wind, and carbon capture and storage. These
funds will be topped up by loans from the European Investment Bank.

It has been revealed that €150m will be invested in a North Sea offshore
wind super grid; €40m Euros will be granted to the Aberdeen offshore wind
farm (to generate an extra 100 MW of energy); and Longannet power plant
will be included in the short list of coal-fired plants under
consideration to receive €250m of investment in Carbon Capture Storage
(CCS) technology. 1 billion Euros will also be made available across
Europe to expand access to broadband technology.

SNP MEP Alyn Smith welcomed the investment:

"I'm delighted that EU measures to combat the economic downturn will have
a real benefit for Scotland.

"With the Scottish Government revealing there could be 16,000 scottish
jobs in green industries the news that Scottish energy projects will be
boosted by Europe shows the central role Scotland plays in Europe's energy
future.

"This new investment enables us to kill two birds with one stone: not only
do we reflate our economy, but we can also build the energy infrastructure
we need for our 21st century priorities: a high technology, highly skilled
economy, and a cohesive, low carbon society which fights climate change.

"I'm particularly pleased by the opportunity to develop our offshore
marine energy resources, in tandem with the Scottish Government's own
efforts through our Marine Research Centre in Orkney.

"Scotland has 25% of Europe's wind and tidal power working with the EU to
develop a North Sea grid to tap into these resources will ensure we can
exploit their full potential.

"Europe's support for Carbon Capture and Storage in Scotland is well
recognised.

"We have seen Scotland's chance to lead on CCS technology scuppered once
by Westminster - this time I hope we will see all parties back Scotland's
bid to lead the way. Longannet is ideally placed to be a leader in this
emerging field.

"Scotland's small businesses and public services rely on quick and
reliable internet access, and hopefully EU funding will help to speed up
full coverage across Scotland."