Scotland yesterday unveiled a £6.9m boost from the European Regional Development Fund for renewable energy and low carbon economy projects.

The cash will be divided between universities and other research centres focusing on low carbon innovation and includes £ 800,000 for Fife’s Adam Smith College to help companies develop new products, £831,000 to provide skills training at Dundee College and almost £300,000 to improve infrastructure in Peterhead for the offshore wind, wave and tidal industries.

Scotland’s Energy Minister Jim Mather said: “These significant investments are being made to help position Scotland firmly at the forefront of innovation, research and development in clean, green renewable energy.”

“The breadth of projects being supported – from academic-led initiatives to local authority and enterprise agency programmes – demonstrates how the development of a low carbon economy has become central to our growth strategy.”

Dundee College principal Christina Potter said: “The development of renewable energy is a key economic opportunity for the city. Dundee College has a crucial role to play in ensuring the supply of skills for this emerging industry. This facility allows the training we deliver to be industry focused and in line with employer skills and health and safety requirements. We are very excited to have been successful in acquiring this funding.”