Monday 25 October 2010

Scottish government looks to India

Jim Mather will be hoping to showcase Scotland when he visits the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference this week. He'll try to convince delegates that Scotland can be a leading destination in green energy especially as a site for offshore wind and smart grids.

Scotland has the potential to provide 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind and tidal resource, along with 10 per cent of wave resource. Plans to harness almost 11GW of offshore wind capacity by 2020 could deliver over 28,000 jobs and a further 20,000 in supply chain work.

Mr Mather said: "Like Scotland, India is blessed with an abundance of the natural resources and shares our commitment to secure a clean and green energy future. India has over 7000 km of coastline and may be able to generate almost five times more wind energy than it needs by 2030 if it is able to tap its offshore wind resources. As opportunities for trade and investment partnerships with India continue to grow, our challenge is also to support more Scottish companies to explore the business opportunities that exist in India"

During his visit he'll talk with Indian ministers and inaugate an Indo-Scottish workshop on grid connections as well as meeting representatives from National Thermal Power Corporation, India's largest power company.

Mr Mather will also reinforce Scotland's commitment to working with India through the Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy co-operation signed one year ago.