A Scottish led EU partnership looking to increase onshore and offshore wind development was launched by Energy Minister Jim Mather today.

The Good Practice Wind Project aims to help the EU achieve its 2020 carbon reduction targets by increasing consenting rates for on and offshore wind projects across Europe. Also included in the group's remit is the consideration of environmental issues in future wind projects.

The partners come from eight countries within the EU including Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Malta and Italy.

Scotland is also to play a leading part in an EU project looking at plans for a European wide Carbon Capture and Storage network which would include Scotland as a key hub. This follows collaboration between the Scottish and French Governments on European carbon capture opportunities.

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Speaking at the Good Practice Wind Project launch in Glasgow, Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "I'm delighted Scotland is leading the GP Wind Project with eight countries working together to develop the wind industry across Europe. Europe has enormous onshore wind potential and while the sector is advancing well in many countries, most of the huge economic potential remains untapped.

"However international progress on renewables must be in harmony with environmental considerations. That's why the GP Wind project is such an important initiative, balancing our international vision for significant renewables investment with wider environmental objectives.

"This project will help drive an international low carbon economy and with as much as a quarter of Europe's offshore wind and tidal energy potential and an estimated 10 per cent of its capacity for wave power, Scotland is well placed to play its part."

(GK/BMcC)