Scottish Renewables has welcomed a new report which confirms the cost of offshore wind can be cut by 30 per cent to £100 per megawatt hour by 2020.
Niall Stuart , Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables , said:
“The Offshore Wind Cost Cutting Task Force has presented a clear case that offshore wind can become increasingly competitive over the next decade, with a number of significant conclusions in their report that will help pave the way to achieving a much more cost competitive renewable energy source.
“The offshore wind industry in Scotland has the potential to be world leading with the creation of up to 28,000 direct jobs and a further 20,000 in the supply chain as well as contribute more than contribute more than £7 billion to the Scottish economy by 2020.
“Major global companies including Mitsubishi, Samsung and Gamesa as well as homegrown businesses such as SSE, are building new offshore engineering, research and development and manufacturing facilities, bringing much-needed investment and jobs to local communities across Scotland. But we know we have a lot more to do as this report outlines.
“In the report, the chair of the task force, Andrew Jamieson, has made clear that the industry needs to identify the supply chain and find ways of filling any gaps. Scottish Renewables with Scottish Enterprise have been working hard to help address this very issue through our annual Offshore Wind and Supply Chain event.
“Scottish Renewables looks forward to continuing to support the industry in reducing the costs of developing offshore wind, and ensuring we build a sector that delivers jobs and investment in a way that also provides value for money for energy consumers.”
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Offshore WIND staff, June 14, 2012; Image: Scottish Renewables