Scotland’s is seeing the emergence of “A new type of infrastructure asset classes, 5G networks, EVs, Carbon capture storage”  Kerry Alexander, Director of Infrastructure, Finance & Programmes at the Scottish Futures Trust told delegates. Alexander told the conference of the of the many new considerations involved in such infrastructure  “Ambition is fantastic, infrastructure must be green, it must be sustainable, it must be community-oriented, it must be affordable, it must be everything to all people, those demands are challenging”.

The need to restructure financing models was also emphasised by Alexander, who said there was “work to be done there” in regards to public appraisal and business case methodologies. Alexander was optimistic about the future of financing infrastructure, believing that planners were ‘developing those bespoke solutions”. She also dismissed suggestions there was a “Wall of finance” stating that “There’s an awful lot of capital investment and it is there to be spent”. 

Alasdair Morrison of Head of Regeneration at Renfrewshire council spoke of the “very strong emerging sector”  being created in advanced manufacturing in the Renfrewshire area. The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Paisley will create 9000 jobs in the sector and utilise £140m of the £270m funding provided by the UK and Scottish governments as part of the £1.13bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley city deal . 

Morrison also announced the announcement of the first ever Renfrewshire economic strategy noting that “Although it doesn’t have specific infrastructure investment proposals, it does set out six headline economic ambitions to grow a strong inclusive economy”, but emphasising developing ‘Future skills”. The construction of the £50m New River Clyde Bridge from Renfew to Yoker was also highlighted by Morrison as the most successful project of the City Deal. He also announced that there would be over £100m invested in redeveloping Paisley town centre, with a new library and a reimagined museum and town hall being constructed. The total influx of invest represents “Largest simultaneous investment in the Renfrewshire region”

Moving away from its fossil fuel dependence and towards Zero Carbon was key on the agenda for creating the future of Aberdeen’s infrastructure for Chief Executive of the City Council Angela Scott, who stated the city was making “Making a significant transition both as an economy and as a place”.  

Scott announced that the development of a modern harbour had the backing of  £300m in private funding, and said the “New Harbour will cement credentials towards energy transition”. The Chief Executive also announced £50m in state funding from the City Deal will go to support the infrastructure around the port. She expressed hope that the new port would ensure Aberdeen would become a “leisure tourist destination”.

To support this modern transition a £40m private-public deal to spread the city’s fibre network was announced by Scott. Other projet include 10 Hydrogen-powered buses which Scott envisions to be expanded to the whole network, saying  “Imagine a system where all of the refueling in cities is by hydrogen”. In addition, a Waste to Power plant is being constructed in the city with collaboration with the Aberdeenshire and Moray councils, both of these projects being part of Aberdeen’s zero carbon ambitions. 

The recent opening of the The Event Complex Aberdeen conference was also hailed by Scott as a success of the city, financed by £340m of government funding and featuring a 13,000 seater arena, it is a flagship project of Aberdeen’s regeneration. £30m was also spent on funding gallery improvements, both projects being financed by Aberdeen being the first council in Scotland to issue a bond.  Scott concluded with the ambition for Aberdeen to be a “City with energy, not just a city of energy”.

Glasgow Airport’s Head of Planning & Development, Ross Nimmo announced £1bn plans for the airports’ future.  Nimmo described the redevelopment plans as “Change in an industry that is resilient to change” planning forward to 2040. He described the possibility for growth with the airport already having a “£1.4bn GVA with the potential to grow that to £2.5bn, absolutely massive potential economically, something we’re very conscious about is the inclusivity of that”. He claimed the airport supported 30,000 jobs and the growth by 2040 could increase that to 43,000. Details of the masterpan are set to be announced this October. 

Nimmo expressed the previous difficulty of expansion without a direct rail link, describing the possibility for economic growth in the “Airport corridor”. However, following consultation with the Glasgow council, plans for a “Glasgow Metro” are now in the works, enabling the projected growth for the airport. 

Environmental issues are key to the Airport’s plans for the future, with Nimmo describing that “As an industry we’re in the spotlight with sustainability”. He acknowledged the need to “Break the link between passengers, connectivity, carbon and noise”,  and highlighted success with previous environmental challenges with an “135% growth in passengers from 1990, but 65% reduction in noise footprint”.

The panel all highlighted how regeneration and infrastructure generation is embracing modern technology to advance Scotland. However, they also acknowledged the necessity of developing traditional infrastructure assets as well and a transitional approach.