One of the Big McTwo Scots utility companies has joined an urban regeneration partnership in the £5 million redevelopment of a former whisky bottling factory in Kilmarnock.
The energy company will be a leader in The HALO Innovation and Enterprise Centre where Scottish Power will create a cyber and digital training and learning facility.
The partners will also ’explore’ energy innovations for a lower carbon society whilst contributing towards providing a digitally skilled generation with links to Ayrshire College and West Scotland University in Paisley.
A proposed low carbon, renewable energy geothermal district heating network could address fuel costs on the site. It also has the capability of being extended to other nearby housing schemes. The development will also include a light manufacturing facility and private rental accommodation for key workers.
The developers say the project will create some 1,400 new jobs.
Lord Ian Duncan, the deputy minister for Scotland in the Brit-Govt, commented: “Supported by a £3.5 million government investment through the Industrial Strategy, the HALO Kilmarnock is an important development that will create jobs, grow the economy and drive innovation. This partnership is a further example of its ambition and drive to innovate and attract new talent to the region.”
Keith Anderson, Scottish Power chief executive, said: “We are working to deliver a low carbon and sustainable future across all of our business areas – including smart- and renewable-energy
“We are excited to explore the opportunities within this innovative project, where there will be a focus on young people, digital skills and energy innovations that we hope will help us move towards a decarbonised transport, heat and Scottish energy sector.”
20 Apr 2018
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