Scottish Government unveils £1.5m funding for Offshore Wind Accelerator programme

The Scottish Government has made £1.5m available for offshore wind research.

The funding, provided to the to the Carbon Trust to support its Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) research and design programme, is aimed at increasing innovation, reducing costs and encouraging further investment in the offshore wind sector.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Previous Scottish Government support for the OWA has helped develop new ideas in key areas of importance to companies operating in Scottish waters and I have no doubt this new funding will help firms to continue this important work."

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“Only last week, around 350 jobs were announced as a direct result of the construction of the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, highlighting the massive opportunity offshore wind presents to Scotland and the Scottish economy.

“Innovation in renewables also continues to contribute to the excellent progress we are making on reducing greenhouse gas emissions after the recent announcement that Scotland has exceeded our 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% six years early.”

The OWA programme was set up in 2008 as a joint industry project. It now comprises nine offshore wind developers.

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "Scotland's seas boast a quarter of Europe's offshore wind resource with the potential to create thousands of jobs, help us to avoid carbon emissions, and to power the nation. By driving innovation and promoting collaboration, support for initiatives like the Accelerator Programme will help to ensure that we're well placed to make the most of the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind.

"Independent research has shown that Scotland could have a secure electricity system powered almost entirely by renewables by 2030. To ensure that we reap the benefits of becoming the EU's first fully renewable electricity nation, in addition to continued support for offshore wind, the Scottish Government's forthcoming energy strategy should major on flexibility, demand reduction, and storage."

Previous funding focused on research into the floating wind technology market and into the use of concrete foundations for offshore windfarms in deeper waters.