Business and Other Briefings

DECC: Entrepreneurs across the nation are being invited to bid for a share of £2m aimed at spurring on innovation in bioenergy. As set out in the Government’s 2012 bioenergy strategy, sustainably sourced bioenergy could contribute around 8-11% to the UK’s total primary energy demand by 2020.
 
The Government’s £2m scheme is aimed specifically at encouraging innovation in bioenergy production on wetlands.   Wetland areas are currently maintained in several parts of Britain to provide a rich environment for wildlife such as wading birds, water voles & warblers and the harvested material from these sites can be used to produce energy.  This new investment is aimed at inspiring innovation in harvesting & energy generation methods, using plants already being grown which would otherwise go to waste.
Press release & links
 
BIS: World leading science projects are receiving a £1bn joint industry, university & Government boost. The Government will add £200m of new money to the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UK RPIF), supporting long-term university capital projects.
 
The fund, which launched with a government investment of £100m at Budget 2012, was heavily oversubscribed and received an overwhelming number of high quality bids.  This additional support will more than double the number of projects that will benefit.  

To access the money, universities must match the funding by at least double from private companies or charities – taking the total investment, including universities’ own contributions, to at least £1bn.
Press release & links
 
ScotGov: A multi-million pound renewable energy investment fund (REIF) geared to stimulating greater levels of private finance into innovative green power and renewable district heating projects in Scotland, was opened for business by First Minister Alex Salmond last week. 

Initial priorities for the REIF are wave & tidal energy, community-owned renewables and renewable district heating, as well as other projects with a focus on innovative renewable energy technologies.
Press release & links
 
WAG: Business Minister Edwina Hart has launched a new pilot SME Growth Fund specifically designed to support Wales based businesses in the Energy & Environment Sector.  The £330,000 Energy & Environment SME Growth Fund will initially run for 2 years and provide up to a maximum of £50,000 funding for eligible projects.
 
The Fund, which will be accessible to all SMEs working across the Energy and Environment sector, will provide revenue support and will not duplicate the existing Wales SME Investment Fund. Businesses applying for the non repayable finance will need to provide a minimum of 50% match funding.
Press release & links
 
GPSEstates Professional Services: Procurement Update:  The OJEU notice for this procurement has been published and the framework has a planned go live date of February 2013.
Press release & links
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story