New measures to support offshore wind generation in Scotland will be unveiled by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today.
The introduction of new bands under renewables obligation legislation are being brought in after a recent consultation on how best to develop the industry.
A new band set at 2.5 Renewable Obligation Certificates (Rocs) is aimed at supporting generation from offshore test and demonstration sites deploying innovative and “new to market” turbines.
The second band set at 3.5 Rocs will be for pilot projects consisting of floating turbines and those using so-called tension line deployment systems.
Mr Ewing claims the changes would help ensure that Scotland remains able to exploit its huge offshore renewables potential, securing investment and jobs.
The announcement has been welcomed by industry body Scottish Renewables and environmental group WWF Scotland.
Mr Ewing, a Highland MSP, said: “Renewables have a significant role to play in Scotland’s future electricity mix.
“These technologies are needed to help de-carbonise our electricity system, increase energy security, and reduce dependence on expensive and depleting fossil fuels.
“Introducing these two new bands for offshore wind shows our commitment to support these technologies at the right levels, and in a way which limits the cost to consumers.
“These new bands, available only in Scotland, will help bring down the cost of developing offshore wind in our deeper waters.”
Lindsay Leask, senior policy manager for Scottish Renewables, said the country was at the cutting edge of deep water offshore wind technologies and the new bands would help “catapult” the industry further forward.
“Up to 10GW of offshore wind have been earmarked for development in Scottish waters, enough to power some 6.5 million homes, and it’s proposals like this that help sharpen the world’s focus on Scotland,” she added.
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said the announcement should “help speed up” the development and deployment of offshore wind.
“Successfully developing floating turbines could enable Scotland to secure even more clean energy from offshore wind and help reduce some of the potential impacts associated with traditional sea-bed based turbines,” he added.
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