Scotland has big plans for wind energy

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Scottish officials said work to develop major offshore wind energy projects was a testament to the country's commitment to clean energy.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond discussed plans with developers to build as much as 1,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy during a visit on board a survey ship.

Salmond said he was impressed with the determination of EDP Renewables and Repsol to develop offshore wind energy. The offshore development plans are part of a pledge to deliver up to 10 gigawatts of clean energy from wind from eight offshore projects.

"Together, these offshore wind projects could generate investment value of as much as $48.5 billion and businesses and communities across Scotland are well-placed to secure substantial benefits from that, as well as from exporting expertise for projects further afield," he said in a statement.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing unveiled renewable energy targets for 30 percent renewables overall by 2020. Another 500 megawatts of community- and locally owned renewable energy would be added to the grid by the end of the decade.

Edinburgh aims to get 100 percent of its electricity demand from renewable energy by 2020. The country used renewable energy to meet 27 percent of its demand in 2009.