The Scottish Government has awarded £1.5 million to the Carbon Trust to boost research and innovation in the offshore wind energy sector.

The funding will be used to support the Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme.

The grant will be used to fund projects in three areas:

• Continuing to explore the opportunity that floating offshore wind offers to Scotland.

• Encouraging international collaboration on offshore wind developers' most pressing problems, specifically addressing how developers working in Scottish waters can make offshore wind more efficient.

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• Sharing knowledge on innovation and cost reduction between partners

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said the funding will help develop new ideas for firms operating in Scottish waters.

"Only last week, around 350 jobs were announced as a direct result of the construction of the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, highlighting the massive opportunity offshore wind presents to Scotland and the Scottish economy," he said.

"Innovation in renewables also continues to contribute to the excellent progress we are making on reducing greenhouse gas emissions after the recent announcement that Scotland has exceeded our 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% six years early."

(LM/MH)