THE man behind Scotland’s world-first fleet of double decker buses has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new targeted multi-million pound internal investment plans.
The move will see up to £20 million a year invested across nine key areas – including the decarbonisation of transport and energy transition.
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It is estimated the plan has the potential to increase GDP by £4.2 billion, boost exports by £2.1 billion over the next two decades and add up to £680 million a year to government revenues.
Jo Bamford – who leads green hydrogen production company Ryse Hydrogen, and UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus, praised the Scottish Government’s ambitions.
“The Scottish Government has shown leadership and ambition by recognising that the best way to build a greener, and more resilient economy, is to attract investment in the areas where Scotland has world-class strengths and potential,” he said.
“Scotland has the ability to be a world-leader in the hydrogen economy, and I am delighted to see the Scottish Government prioritise the sector for inward investment.
“Ryse and Wrightbus were proud to be part of a hydrogen world-first for Scotland, as we delivered the world’s first hydrogen double decker buses in Aberdeen last month. We have ambitious plans to invest in this exciting area of Scotland’s economy – from the production of green hydrogen to decarbonising public transport.”
Mr Bamford has plans to roll out 4,000 state-of-the-art buses across the UK by 2024, and he believes Scotland will have a key part to play in the global hydrogen sector.
“The steps we are taking now to unlock Scotland’s hydrogen economy will create new jobs not only today, but for many more years to come. We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and others to cement Scotland’s place at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution,” he added.
