Blueprint for offshore renewables

A NEW blueprint has been drawn up to ensure offshore renewable projects are developed efficiently and in the right places in Scotland.

A task force examined how to smooth out the process of getting offshore schemes through the planning process, while making sure all interested groups were involved. Among recommendations in the report are a mandatory process of early consultation with others who use the seas, such as the fishing and shipping industries and local communities, before formal applications are submitted.

The recommendations will be taken forward by Marine Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and others.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “It is important that the scoping, planning, development and deployment of offshore wind, wave and tidal generation is done as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: “We need to make sure we get the right renewables in the right places. The recommendations from the task force are very helpful.”