Crown Estate in green energy drive

Offshore devices may provide a greater proportion of electricity supplies in future

The body which controls half Scotland's coast and almost all of its seabed has launched a consultation on boosting renewable energy.

The Crown Estate wants to ensure that it is doing all it can to support wave and tidal energy through leasing property.

It has <link> <caption>asked developers to share their vision of how schemes might look in the future</caption> <url href="www.thecrownestate.co.uk/news-media/news/2012/wave-and-tidal-industry-invited-to-shape-future-leasing/" platform="highweb"/> </link> .

The Crown Estate, which operates across the UK, has already leased 37 sites.

The organisation wants to know if it can improve the way it provides seabed rights, as well as the leasing process itself.

Crown Estate energy director Rob Hastings, said: "At the moment, development of offshore wind is of course a high priority and must continue apace for 2020 targets to be met.

"But, looking ahead, we see excellent opportunities for wave and tidal to operate alongside offshore wind, in ways which maximise offshore renewable energy in the electricity supply mix and make optimum use of the marine estate."

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 21 September.