FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has reiterated Scotland's ambitious renewable aspirations and made clear that the "political will" is there to lead a "green energy revolution".
His remarks throw the spotlight back on Nigg yard, which he visited and spoke enthusiastically about ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections earlier this year.
His latest remarks this weekend came as he met Winfried Kretschmann, Green Party Premier of Baden Württemberg and Germany’s leading Green Party politician.
The meeting focused on the two countries’ renewable energy ambitions.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Salmond said, "Large scale development of the green energy industry, on these shores and across the continent, represents the biggest opportunity for sustainable economic growth in Scotland for a generation and we are determined to capitalise on this.
"With our ambitious energy targets and growing expertise, Scotland is well placed to help Germany succeed in their ambitions to phase out the country's nuclear power plants and reduce their energy emissions.
"Germany is not alone in shunning nuclear power in favour of green and we have been discussing, at UK and EU levels, including improving storage capabilities, strengthening grid connections and delivering a North Sea grid.
"By working closely with Germany, we can develop strong links and maximise opportunities for a shared, green energy future. This represents a great opportunity for Scotland - potentially opening up a considerable export market for both manufacturing and services expertise.
"Scotland has as much as a quarter of Europe’s offshore wind and tidal energy potential, an estimated 10 per cent of its capacity for wave power and the political will needed to lead an energy revolution.
"It is vital that we continue to work with industry and governments at local, UK and European level to build on what we have achieved and work to secure our place as the green energy powerhouse of Europe.
"By 2020, Scotland intends to be producing the equivalent of at least 100 per cent of our domestic electricity needs from renewables – reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels and instead becoming a major exporter of green energy."
Winfried Kretschmann party’s success in Baden-Württemberg and the neighbouring state of Rheinland-Pfalz in March is credited with forcing Chancellor Angela Merkel to change policy on nuclear decommissioning.
In April, on the campaign trail, Mr Salmond surveyed the Nigg yard, earmarked for mixed use production.
Roy MacGregor of preferred bidder, Gobal Energy Group was there to welcome Mr Salmond and discuss future plans for the site.
The First Minister has also described Nigg as "the best deep-water site in Europe".
Some observers have speculated that Scottish Government-level pressure will be required to break a deadlock over a deal being done over the largely moth-balled site. Several observers have said the yard could be reinvented as Ross-shire's economic powerhouse and play a major role in the renewable revolution favoured by the Scottish Government.
A spokesman for Globa Energy told the Journal, "Since becoming preferred bidder for the purchase, we have been working hard on the due diligence process. We continue to make steady progress and feel comfortable we are moving towards a satisfactory outcome."
