ELECTRIC vehicle charging points, 5G and low carbon provision are part of the focus of the Scottish Futures Trust’s next five-year blueprint.
The SFT, the infrastructure delivery company owned by the Scottish Government, unveiled its priorities as it published its corporate plan on future projects.
Holyrood has set a target to increase infrastructure investment by up to £1.5 billion per annum over its £5.2bn 2019-20 baseline, so that it reaches £6.7bn in 2025-26.
The SFT role includes planning asset investment and management across sectors, introducing innovative approaches to funding, financing and delivery, and managing existing assets, estates and contracts productively.
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SFT sees an increased focus on low carbon infrastructure and working towards delivering better insulated buildings, de-carbonise heat and provide options to increase electric vehicle charging points.
Digital infrastructure involving working on 5G technologies will also be key as is using 3D computer modelling, virtual reality and laser to virtually build a new school or hospital to help flush out any design flaws before moving the building into the construction phase.
Peter Reekie, chief executive of the SFT, said: “The target to phase out the need to buy petrol or diesel vehicles in Scotland in little over 10 years’ time will require a big expansion of charging points and we are working with colleagues from Transport Scotland to plan for that now."
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He added: “In addition, the economic impact of Scotland becoming a world-leading digital nation is huge as it could boost GDP by around 10 per cent. But to reap that reward, all of Scotland must be at the forefront of technology.”
Michael Matheson, Infrastructure Secretary, said that the SFT will “support the delivery of our National Infrastructure Mission, which will increase annual infrastructure investment by 1% of current GDP by the end of the next parliament, helping to protect and create jobs, and boost growth across the country”.
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