Fresh questions are being raised over the future of Grangemouth after new analysis showed almost £200 million has been awarded to sustainable aviation fuel projects while only one of 29 awards went to Scotland.
House of Commons Library analysis identified the awards made through the Advanced Fuel Funds and Low Carbon Fuels Fund, adding another dimension to the argument over investment in Scotland’s former oil refining centre.
The figures have been seized upon by Graham Leadbitter MP, who argues that Grangemouth is being overlooked while substantial government support flows to projects south of the border.
The dispute is particularly significant because the Project Willow study identified sustainable aviation fuel as one of the potential opportunities for the future of the Grangemouth industrial site.
Grangemouth previously refined aviation fuel for Scotland and the search for replacement industries has become increasingly important following the loss of around 800 jobs associated with the refinery.
Attention is also returning to the £200 million previously pledged by the UK Government for Grangemouth, with critics arguing that the promised investment has yet to translate into money reaching the site.
Graham Leadbitter MP, the SNP’s Energy spokesperson, said:
“The Labour Party can’t get the cheque book out quick enough when it comes to projects south of the border while once again Grangemouth goes without.
“Not a penny has come from the £200m pledged 18 months ago and now we know Grangemouth has been deprived of sustainable aviation fuel funding despite it being earmarked as a key opportunity for the site.
“Refineries and steel works in England have been bailed out by the Labour UK Government as Scottish workers see 800 jobs at Grangemouth axed and 1000 oil and gas workers lose their job every month.
“Once again, Scotland is paying the heaviest price for Westminster control of our key industries and every politician from Scotland should be demanding Andy Burnham delivers the finance and backs our energy sector.”
The latest figures put the focus firmly on where the emerging sustainable aviation fuel industry is being developed and where public investment intended to support that transition is being spent.
For Grangemouth, that matters because the argument about its future has moved beyond saving what was there and towards deciding what industries can replace the jobs and economic activity that have already been lost.
Sustainable aviation fuel has been presented as one of those possibilities.
If Grangemouth is to become part of that emerging industry, however, recommendations and promises will eventually have to become investment on the ground.
The House of Commons Library figures will inevitably sharpen questions over whether Scotland, and Grangemouth in particular, is receiving a meaningful share of the public money being used to build Britain’s next generation of aviation fuel production.
