Scotland is leading the way in driving down the costs of offshore wind, the Government’s Energy Minister has told a major industry conference.

Speaking at the Global Offshore Wind conference in London, Fergus Ewing told delegates that Scotland is already ahead of its UK counterparts in taking the actions recommended in recent research.

The Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force today published their first research, alongside The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Pathways study.

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The Task Force report outlines the steps the industry can take to slash the costs of offshore wind energy from 140 pounds per megawatt hour to 100 pounds per megawatt hour by 2020.

Work done to improve the Scottish supply chain and infrastructure, set out in the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and supported through the £70m National Renewables Infrastructure Plan has already attracted international investment from companies such as Samsung, Gamesa and Mitsubishi.

Scotland also leads the world in the innovation needed to further drive down costs, with the UK Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Centre based in Glasgow.

Mr Ewing said: "Offshore wind could reindustrialise Scotland, building on the skills and experience we have gained from the oil and gas industry to create new, high quality jobs for our workforce. But if we are to fully enjoy the benefits of offshore wind, we need to further drive down the costs."

(NE)