- 28 million Euros for Danish Green Labs
- In pursuance of its Green Vision, the Danish Government aims to turn Denmark into a "laboratory for green technologies" with the best possible framework conditions for the business community throughout the innovation chain; from new ideas in R&D to demonstration and proof of concepts to commercialisation.
The Government has granted DKK 210 million (approx. € 28.2 million) over a period of three years to support the construction (not operation) of test laboratories - so called Green Labs - where businesses can demonstrate and test new green technologies in full scale and in realistic surroundings. The long term objective is to make it attractive for Danish, European and international businesses to locate their development activities in Denmark.
- The development of future technologies in Denmark is dependent on the innovative and political framework. If the opportunities and facilities are present in Denmark, the international business and science communities will obviously find us much more attractive, says Nicolai Rottbøll, Head of Secretariat Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster.
Cooperation with the industry
The new Green Labs should be developed and operated in
cooperation with the industry itself.
Thus, the government encourages key industries to go along with
universities and regional or local authorities and businesses to
explore possible models for the development of the Green Labs.
- It is crucial for the success of the Green Labs to include private enterprises and as many stakeholders from the industry as possible. They have the know-how, technology and market focus to develop the products, and, as such, it makes sense, that they are included in the process. At the same time, theses parties need clear and transparent legislation as well as financial possibilities to determine if they want to set up camp in Denmark in the future. Also in that perspective, the Green Labs are a step in the right direction, says Nicolai Rottbøll.
The government has decided to initiate a consultation phase before calling in proposals, to ensure that the criteria in the scheme are in line with the real needs and capacity of the market. All interested parties are therefore invited to submit descriptions of ideas for possible Green Labs to be handed in by 10 May 2010 at the latest. The government suggests that the consultation phase is used to identify potential joint ventures and, if possible, agree on a coordinated response to the call for submissions of proposals, expected in June 2010.
Based, in part, on the contributions in the consultation, the minister will set the final award criteria for Green Labs DK. It is expected that the first round of funding - DKK 60 million - will be awarded in December 2010.
