A North Sea supergrid to export surplus renewable electricity from Scotland would benefit the whole of Europe, First Minister Alex Salmond said on Wednesday.

The First Minister was speaking at the Scottish Government's publication of a milestone study for a North Sea Offshore Grid.

Mr Salmond said: "This is a major step forward in realising Scotland's renewable energy potential - which can make a big contribution to Europe and the world in moving to clean, green sources of energy.

"Scotland has a clear, competitive advantage across the range of renewable technologies - with up to 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind, wave and tidal energy potential. It is vital that we harness our renewables resources, and develop a grid infrastructure so that we can export the massive quantities of green energy Scotland is capable of producing."

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The First Minister said he had long argued that a North Sea offshore supergrid will encourage renewable generation and exports from Scotland, and also contribute to future energy security in Europe. We can export power from energy-rich northern Europe, to the energy-poorer areas.

"This pre-scoping study defines the potential for a full study to examine the technical, economic, social and financial feasibility of the development of an offshore transmission supergrid.

"It will allow us to explore the opportunities associated with the development of an offshore transmission network, and help make the case for commercial investment," he added.

Mr Salmond said the Scottish Government will continue to work with our North Sea neighbours and the EC with a view to formalising a partnership to make the exciting concept of a supergrid a reality.

"I have previously written to EU Energy Commissioner Piebalgs to ask that the case for a supergrid be included in the forthcoming Strategic Energy Review. We are hopeful that our case will be considered positively in the review when it is published.

"Today's Scottish Government publication takes Scotland one step closer to becoming the green energy capital of Europe."

(GK/JM)