Ambitious plans for the development of offshore wind energy projects in Scotland took a significant step forward today.

The Scottish Government launched a 12 week consultation detailing draft plans to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and realise Scotland's multi-billion pound potential in renewables.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment and Development Plan for Offshore Wind sets out proposals for the short, medium and long term up to 2020 and beyond.

The proposals include:

* Progressing the 10 sites for potential offshore wind energy development recently identified by The Crown Estate. Environment and technical assessment has concluded there are no significant environmental effects which cannot be avoided or reduced through appropriate project planning and development

* The mapping of key technical and environment constraints to identify the most feasible areas for development, and further evaluate of these areas in relation to other users of the sea; most notably shipping and commercial fishing sectors

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* A commitment from the Scottish Government to consider reviewing the plan every two years, in recognition of the fast pace of change within the offshore wind sector and marine environment

Launching the consultation at the All Energy Conference in Aberdeen today, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "For centuries Scotland's seas have provided a lifeline to many of our coastal communities. We now have an opportunity to harness a new dimension of this natural resource for 21st Century Scotland in the form of marine renewables including offshore wind. It can undoubtedly play a key role in generating clean, green renewable energy.

"Today's launch marks a major step in our commitment to make Scotland a powerhouse of renewable energy in Europe. We have already pledged to generate 20 per cent of all energy, and 50 per cent of electricity, from renewable sources by 2020. This requires that the current capacity of nearly four Gigawatts (GW) is doubled to eight GW. The Crown Estate has identified 10 areas, with the generation capacity of around 6.4GW, where commercial leases for offshore wind energy developments could be granted.

"I would urge everyone to participate in the consultation, to help confirm the best options for offshore wind energy development. We are committed to delivering the necessary support for a pioneering energy industry in Scotland, while promoting a low carbon economy."

(GK)