Scots wind farm in £33bn infrastructure pot

A SCOTTISH wind farm and a mixed housing and retail development in Aberdeen are among projects worth £33 billion that have passed the first hurdle in trying to gain a UK government infrastructure guarantee.

Danny Alexander said getting infrastructure right was vital. Picture: Getty

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will reveal this morning that 40 projects have reached the stage known as “prequalification” – meaning they are deemed eligible for the UK guarantee scheme.

Over half of them are energy projects, including the Neart Na Gaoithe wind farm in the outer Forth estuary, while the Countess scheme in Aberdeen involves 3,000 homes built beside business units and shops.

The Treasury said that the slant toward energy projects was “helping ensure that Britain develops a sustainable future energy supply”.

Alexander said: “Getting our infrastructure right means we can be globally competitive, boost growth and create jobs across the UK.”

Under the scheme, the UK government acts as guarantor for projects, giving private lenders confidence they will get their money back if the project cannot pay.

Other projects include the re-location of Northampton University.