Scotland and India join forces in green energy drive

Published on Wednesday 14 October 2009 15:11

SCOTLAND and India are to work together to drive forward innovation in renewable energy.

The two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding which will lead to more joint working between Scottish and Indian Universities.

The two countries say they are hopeful the move will lead to greater production of wind energy, solar power and biofuels.

The agreement was signed during external affairs minister Mike Russell's visit to India, with the trip aimed at building business and cultural links between the two countries.

The SNP Government wants Scotland to become the green energy capital of Europe, and has set the target of having 50% of electricity demand coming from renewable sources by 2020.

Meanwhile India has more than 7,000 kilometres of coastline, giving the country a huge potential for generating power from offshore wind.

Mr Russell said: "Like Scotland, India is blessed with an abundance of the natural resources needed to generate renewable energy and its government is clearly committed to exploiting this in order to secure its energy future and meet the current energy needs of remote and rural communities."

He added that Scotland had a "world leading position in the development of offshore wind" and stated: "The lessons learned will be vital to the future large scale deployment of offshore wind across the world."

Mr Russell also highlighted Scottish expertise in the use of renewable technologies to provide power to remote communities and said: "Our leadership and innovation in this area can help India achieve its renewables goals, while Scottish organisations benefit from India's own expertise."