The Scottish Government has announced plans to undertake a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of offshore wind power in Scottish territorial waters.

It is hoped the study will help form a consistent approach to future offshore wind developments for Scotland.

Energy Minister Jim Mather commented: "By undertaking an environmental assessment of territorial waters now, we can ensure that there is a clear approach to enabling development that is consistent with environmental protection and sustainable development.

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"Having a clear understanding of the available resource will benefit developers and Government alike. That way, we can work together to generate clean energy, build on the renewables surge of recent weeks and months - worth nearly £1bn to our economy - and make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe."

The study came about after 14 developer companies and consortia applied to The Crown Estate for 23 potential offshore sites around Scotland's coast. At the moment The Crown Estate owns the seabed out to 12 nautical miles.

The head of offshore operations at The Crown Estate, Ian Pritchard, said: "We welcome the decision by the Scottish Government to undertake a SEA. It will help ensure that potential environmental issues are understood and addressed in advance of offshore wind sites within Scottish territorial waters being developed."

The Crown Estate has suggested that successful applicants will be informed by December subject to a positive SEA, site specific environmental impact assessment, and regulatory consent.

(GK/JM)