A project that aims to cut the cost of offshore wind by at least 10% has been awarded £2.2 million by the Scottish Government.

The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme will use the funding to encourage international collaboration between offshore wind developers, share knowledge on installations, operations and maintenance in a bid to reduce costs.

It will also support the commercialisation of floating offshore wind projects in the Scottish waters.

Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust said: “The sector has huge potential to generate low carbon power and create economic value. Key to that success will be driving costs down through innovation and doing this quickly. The OWA and this new injection of funding will be key to help meet this cost reduction challenge.”

Scotland aims to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

The OWA is a joint government and industry scheme, funded by the Scottish Government, DECC and nine offshore wind developers including DONG Energy, ScottishPower Renewables, E.ON and SSE Renewables.