A decision by the UK Government to allow eight energy projects to go ahead, have received support from a number of organisations.

The schemes are expected to support some 8,500 jobs.

Among the projects confirmed to have received the green light, is the Beatrice offshore wind farm, located at Outer Moray Firth in Scotland.

Welcoming the decision, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: " We have been pressing the Department of Energy and Climate Change on this matter for several months so I am pleased that the Beatrice project is to be awarded a FID [Final Investment Decision] contract, which is the very least that the Scottish Government expected, given Scotland's huge clean energy potential.

"As yet we have not seen any fresh analysis from DECC regarding the amount of capacity and budget which remains after the award of these projects today. This analysis will have implications for remaining offshore and other major projects in Scotland, which can play a major part in energy security, and we will continue to press these cases.

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"Scotland has the potential to lead the development of an exciting, new renewables industry as offshore wind moves into deeper waters. Offshore renewables represent a huge opportunity for Scotland; an opportunity to build up new industries and to deliver on our ambitious renewable energy and carbon reduction targets."

SSE also voiced their support of the investment. In a statement, Finlay McCutcheon, SSE's Director of Offshore Renewables, added: "In March we highlighted that we would be focussing our efforts and resources in offshore wind on the Beatrice project. To be able to progress any offshore wind project investors need, amongst other things, clarity over the regulatory framework.

"Securing an Investment Contract from the UK Government provides the project with this clarity and will enable further investment to continue through 2014. We are therefore extremely pleased with today's announcement.

"However there is still significant additional work to be done before a final investment decision can be made, and we will be working closely with Repsol, and our supply chain partners, to further reduce costs and refine the development and construction programme, with the aim of delivering a commercially viable project in early 2016."

(JP/MH)