John Swinney: Offshore wind one of Scotland's greatest success stories

John Swinney has called offshore wind "one of Scotland's greatest modern success stories".

The First Minister was speaking ahead of the opening of the onshore operations base for a turbine field in the Firth of Forth.

It is hoped that the Neart na Gaoithe wind farm, owned by EDF Renewables UK & ESB, will generate enough power for 475,000 homes on completion.

An official opening ceremony will be held for its operations and maintenance base in Eyemouth today.

Ahead of the event, Swinney said: "Offshore wind is rapidly becoming one of Scotland's greatest modern success stories, with the sector already creating significant opportunities, delivering jobs and attracting major investment across the country.

"It is essential that people across Scotland are able to reap the considerable benefits that offshore wind promises. Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, and in particular its operations and maintenance base at Eyemouth, shows what can happen when industry and communities work together.

"The development will not only provide clean, sustainable energy but deliver lasting benefits to the community of Eyemouth and beyond, through the creation of around 50 high quality, permanent jobs across office-based and operational roles over the next 25 years.

"This drive to maximise the local economic benefit of offshore wind is something that is critically important for the Scottish Government and Eyemouth is an excellent example of how this can be achieved."