The Scottish government has unveiled a £62m ($80m) economic stimulus package to support the UK nation’s energy sector, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and oil price crash, and to stimulate investment in new lower-carbon energy projects.

Speaking at the Scottish government’s daily Covid-19 briefing, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the funding, which will be spread over the next five years, will protect jobs and support key projects that will help Scotland to move to a net zero economy by 2045 and help businesses in the oil & gas sector diversify into clean-energy markets.