Subsidies for offshore windfarms could be increased under new plans to boost investment.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing hopes that a new targeted incentive could open up deeper waters for exploitation.
The proposal, which will be open to consultation, is part of changes to Scotland’s Renewables Obligation, the support mechanism for UK renewable electricity projects in the UK.
Other decisions include the retention of support for hydro-electric generation, removal of support for some larger and less-efficient wood-fuelled biomass stations and a 10% reduction in support for onshore wind.
Mr Ewing said: “Scotland has huge offshore wind potential but a lot of that resource is in far greater water depths than elsewhere in the UK, which is challenging and costly to exploit. That’s why I have announced our intention to consult upon and introduce a new band for innovative ways to deploy offshore wind in Scotland’s deeper and more challenging waters. Onshore wind is already leading the way for renewable energy and has helped us make the case for the grid upgrades which will be so important as we move forward to offshore wind, wave and tidal. The announced cut in support recognises the success and reduced costs of this sector is enjoying. But we have given the industry certainty, unlike the UK Government, by setting our rate until 2017.
Mr Ewing said concerns over limited wood supplies was behind the removal of biomass stations over 10MW that do not provide good-quality combines of heat and power.
WWF Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said: “This is a sensible package which will make sure we can meet our 100% renewable electricity target and will send a strong message to businesses that Scotland is the place to come to develop renewable energy industries.”
ScottishPower’s chief corporate officer Keith Anderson said: “We welcome the Scottish Government announcement.”
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