Norwegian oil industry could boost wind energy off Scotland

The wind energy sector in Scotland and the Norwegian oil industry are joining forces to work on new floating turbines to boost electricity generation.

Norwegian oil industry operator Statoil is meeting with Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland, to discuss the platforms.

Mr Salmond says: "Our waters are estimated to have as much as a quarter of Europe's potential offshore wind energy and we are perfectly positioned to develop the technology that will power this remarkable renewables revolution."

Between three and five units could be constructed to Statoil's Hywind template for floating turbines, allowing the technology to be assessed for its potential in full-scale development.

The firm already has a unit in operation in Norway, with wind turbines on the surface of the sea and anchored in place 10 km offshore.

Each turbine extends 100 m below the water's surface, with water and rocks used as ballast within its main cylinder.