The Scottish Government has made a £1.5 million grant to the Carbon Trust to support its Offshore Wind Accelerator research and design programme.

Set up in 2008, the Accelerator drives new technologies in the offshore wind sector. Previous funding rounds have supported research into the floating wind technology market and into the use of concrete foundations for offshore wind farms in deeper waters.

The Carbon Trust will fund projects in the  three areas.

• Continuing to explore the opportunity that floating offshore wind offers to Scotland
• Encouraging international collaboration to address how developers working in Scottish waters can make offshore wind more efficient
• Sharing knowledge on innovation and cost reduction between partners

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Previous Scottish Government support for the OWA has helped develop new ideas in key areas of importance to companies operating in Scottish waters and I have no doubt this new funding will help firms to continue this important work.”