Member Article

Government makes £80m green infrastructure investment

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced a landmark investment in green infrastructure by the Government.

A total of £80m has been committed to two specialist fund managers, who will make and manage investments in the small scale waste infrastructure sector, by a team within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

BIS investments made by the fund managers will be match-funded and the Government is investing directly, on fully commercial terms, ahead of obtaining state aid approval for the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB).

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “These first investments are a landmark moment. They represent a great opportunity to unlock substantial commercial investment in green technologies and infrastructure.

“The Government has committed to setting the UK firmly on course towards a green and growing economy and today is another important step in that direction.

“Investing directly now shows that we are not just sitting on our hands while we wait for the UK Green Investment Bank to receive state aid approval.”

Fund managers focus on generating and managing investments in areas such as waste recycling and reprocessing facilities, pre-treatment projects and energy-from-waste projects.

An initial fund of £50 million will be managed by Foresight Group and an initial fund of £30 million by Greensphere Capital. The maximum amount of individual investments is not likely to exceed £15 million.

The Government will also make a further £100 million available for investment in the non-domestic energy efficiency sector.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said: “It is fantastic news that the first £80 million has left the accounts of UK Green Investments.

“The investments from this will improve waste recycling infrastructure in the UK for our world-beating green sector.

“Our green industries are already generating jobs and wealth across the country – supporting them to thrive is central to rebalancing our economy away from its over reliance on the City of London.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .