The Scottish Government is to provide £300,000 towards research and training projects for the renewable energy sector.

The funding will go towards supporting the industry's workforce as well as developing skills for the future.

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult research facility will receive £215,000 to develop a digital clone of its demonstration offshore wind turbine.

In addition, £85,000 will go towards the Energy Skills Partnership who will invest in virtual reality and work training programmes to develop skills required by the energy sector for the future.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Over the longer term, Scotland will need to transition its primary energy from fossil fuels to renewable sources. This represents a huge opportunity as the country looks to increase vastly its demand for renewable electricity and heat.


"This is why we must have a workforce with the skills needed to help grow this industry."

Dr. Stephen Wyatt, Strategy & Commercialisation Director for ORE Catapult, said: "The creation of a virtual turbine, or ‘digital clone’, through sensors on the blades, tower and foundation, will enable us to develop a unique understanding of the performance, forces and strains on a next-generation offshore wind turbine.

"Not only will the project enable extensive future research and new opportunities for Scottish engineering and technology companies, but the resulting data will enable us to enhance future turbine design and potentially drive significant cost reduction."

Jim Brown, Director of the ESP, added: "Our development of a highly realistic immersive Hybrid Reality (iHR) version of the Levenmouth Turbine is a tremendous opportunity to develop the skills and jobs required by the growing offshore renewables industry in Scotland”.

"This funding will enable us to work with partners Heriot Watt University and ORE Catapult to further develop the system, and deliver a huge impact for the sector."

(LM/MH)