Four new wind and tidal projects for Scotland have received approval from the Crown Estate.

It added that, for the first time, local organisations would be able to play a role in developing the zones.

The Scottish zones and sites are located in:

• Islay (tidal stream demonstration zone)

• Isle of Harris (wave demonstration zone)

• Mull of Galloway (tidal stream project site)

• Stronsay Firth (tidal stream managed test facility project).

Although the Crown Estate grants rights to organisations to operate on the seabed, projects still need to receive planning approval.

Commenting on the investments, Rob Hastings, Director of Energy and Infrastructure, said: "By providing these additional seabed rights we are pleased to be enabling further technology development and commercialisation, which will be critical if the UK is to unlock its significant natural resources for wave and tidal current energy.

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"This innovative approach to leasing the seabed sees us responding to market demand and introducing managed demonstration zones to give other organisations the opportunity to lend tangible support for their local areas."

Greg Barker, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, added: "Today's announcement is a great step for the development of wave and tidal stream industries. Wave and tidal stream are growing green, clean energy sources which have the potential to sustain thousands of jobs in a sector worth, from exports alone, a possible £4 billion per annum by 2050."

The news has been welcomed by Scottish Renewables, with Lindsay Leask, Senior Policy at Scottish Renewables, saying: "This announcement reinforces, yet again, the massive wave and tidal energy potential Scotland has. With the right level of support, Scotland can solidify its position as a world-leader in marine energy development and take advantage of the vast economic benefits that could accompany this.

"It is great to see local communities taking their energy future into their own hands and playing a role in the development of wave and tidal projects. We have already seen the benefits local partnerships can bring to communities interested in onshore renewables, so it is encouraging to see the beginnings of this in the wave and tidal sector."

The locations for the demonstration zones and project sites include four off the coast of Scotland, three off the coast of England, three off the coast of Wales and one in Northern Ireland.

(JP/CD)