Funding boost for renewable power

One of the projects to benefit will test wind turbines

Scottish renewable energy projects are in line for more than £100m of European Commission funding.

Among the projects to benefit are a proposed hub for a sea-bed electricity power grid, and a demonstration zone for wind turbines.

The funding is part of nearly £1.5bn that has been allocated by the European Commission to help cut carbon emissions in electricity generation.

But Longannet Power Station in Fife could miss out on funding.

One of the wind power projects to be given a high rating and proposed for support by the European Parliament has been put forward by a subsidiary of Perth-based Scottish and Southern Energy.

If approved, it would get about £67m to help build a hub for an underwater electricity grid connecting offshore wind, wave and tidal generators in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

Impact on shipping

Two other projects are also being backed in the drive to build a wider North Sea power grid, linking the Netherlands with Denmark and with Norway.

A further £37m has been earmarked for an Aberdeen offshore wind farm which is intended to test turbines.

It has faced objections from Aberdeen harbour board, with concerns about its impact on shipping.

About two thirds of the European funding programme is to help develop technology for capturing carbon emissions and burying them under the seabed.

Longannet power station was rated as "good" in that category, but the commission's preference is for a proposed new power plant at Hatfield in Yorkshire.

Longannet, on the north bank of the Firth of Forth and owned by Scottish Power, has been put "in reserve" and could qualify for future funding.

It remains the lead competitor to Hatfield for about £1bn of UK government subsidy, with the final two contenders to be announced by the end of this year.

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