UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart MP was greeted by Brian Whittle MSP as he paid a visit to the Community Renewable Energy project in Cumnock. Known as CoRE, the project aims to make Cumnock self-sufficient in low-carbon energy and become an exemplar for other communities across the UK.
The project is funded through the Ayrshire Growth Deal with £17 million coming from the UK Government and £7.5 million from East Ayrshire Council. Over the ten year lifetime of the project, CoRE will create a centre of excellent in energy systems research, two demonstrator houses and Smart energy schemes for the area including a community energy company and reuse of former opencast coal sites to generate energy.
South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle championed the Cumnock project for funding through the Ayrshire Growth Deal and welcomed Mr Stewart’s visit as a sign of the UK Government’s commitment to a low carbon future. Brian, the Scottish Conservatives Environment, Biodiversity & Land Reform Spokesperson hailed the project as a huge opportunity for Cumnock and the surrounding area to be at the forefront of a green industrial revolution
In addition to his visit to CoRE, Iain Stewart also visited Cumnock based fire-engine maker Emergency One to see their new fully electric fire-engine design.
Brian Whittle MSP said: “I’m proud to have helped deliver the Ayrshire Growth Deal funding that’s made CoRE a reality. Cumnock has a long history of engineering and I’m really pleased to see it having the chance to play a leading role in the future of low-carbon energy generation for the whole UK.
As we think about our recovery from the pandemic, we need projects like CoRE to develop the technologies and green jobs that can grow our economy and build a more sustainable future.
It’s projects like CoRE, funded through growth deals that demonstrate the benefits to Ayrshire, and the whole of Scotland, of our place in the United Kingdom.
I’m delighted to have been able to welcome Iain Stewart to East Ayrshire and continue my efforts to strengthen our local economy, bring new jobs and make our communities fit for the future.”
