A major programme to retrofit public sector buildings in Scotland has been launched.

All public sector organisations and registered social landlords can choose to have a combination of energy efficiency measures installed across their buildings.

That includes building fabric, environmental service systems and their controls such as heating, cooling, lighting and water as well as local generation such as combined heat and power and district heating systems.

A total of 12 suppliers have been appointed to a procurement framework to deliver the retrofit works, which is estimated to be worth £300 million across Scotland’s public sector.

That is expected to help save up to £30 million a year on energy bills.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “This scheme could transform our public sector buildings and has the potential to save taxpayers millions of pounds. Improving the energy efficiency of all of Scotland’s buildings is a National Infrastructure Priority and this is a significant step forward in the drive to cut energy and maintenance costs and reduce carbon emissions.

“These projects pay for themselves as energy savings will, over time, pay for the installation costs and will also deliver a variety of wider community benefit including employment opportunities and business growth opportunities for the Scottish supply chain.”