Offshore renewable projects could be developed more efficiently and quickly under recommendations of a new blueprint on green energy, it has emerged.
A task force examined how to streamline initial development of offshore projects, as well as the process of planning them and gaining approval. Its report, which includes a series of recommendations, has been welcomed by leading energy firms.
First Minister Alex Salmond also stressed the importance of ensuring that "scoping, planning, development and deployment" of offshore energy generation "is done as effectively and efficiently as possible".
The task force, which included Marine Scotland, environmental regulators, renewable energy developers and the Crown Estate, calls for a national database of survey information.
It also calls for mandatory consultation with others who use the seas, such as the fishing and shipping industries and local communities, to be carried out at the earliest opportunity and before formal applications are submitted. Early work should also be carried out to identify suitable potential sites for new test facilities.
The report further recommends increasing resources for Marine Scotland so it can provide the environmental specialists needed to help make processes more efficient. The recommendations will be taken forward by Marine Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and others.
Mr Salmond said: "An increasing number of major overseas firms are already joining leading Scottish companies to invest in the development of wind, wave and tidal in Scotland. As we move towards our 2020 target of ensuring renewables contribute at least 100% of Scotland's own electricity demand, it is important that the scoping, planning, development and deployment of offshore wind, wave and tidal generation is done as effectively and efficiently as possible.
"That requires developers to consult early with other industries and with communities and to use common standards when surveying potential sites, while it requires public agencies to commit sufficient resources to be able to provide good information, timely advice and clear decisions to developers and other interested parties."
He added: "By ensuring that government, developers and others get things right at the strategic planning and earliest licensing stages, we can cut the time and resource spent on inappropriate developments and allow a greater focus on those areas with the best opportunities to harness resources sustainably.
"In that way we will reduce our reliance on other forms of fossil fuel-generated power and help tackle damaging climate change."
