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The devolved Scottish government has announced it will be offering higher bands of renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) for offshore wind test projects using next-generation turbines.

Demonstration projects using new-to market wind turbines sited in Scottish waters will receive 2.5 ROCs per megawatt hour of electricity generated. This is an increase of 0.5 on current offshore projects, including those planned for construction during the upcoming Round 3 phase of offshore build.

Projects using floating turbines, including tension line technology, will receive 3.5 ROCs.

"These new bands will help bring down the cost of developing offshore wind in our deeper waters," said Fergus Ewing, Scotland's energy minister.

Scotland has 4.7GW proposed for Round 3 offshore construction and has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2020.

The new incentive is aimed at attracting manufacturers and developers of innovative offshore technology. Manufacturers Gamesa and Mitsubishi have already outlined plans to build offshore manufacturing facilities in Scotland.