Concerns mount over Scotland's faltering offshore wind drive as North Sea industry leaders claim tax cuts could unlock 100 North Sea oil projects

North Sea industry leaders have highlighted the potential for a £50bn surge in oil and gas investment off Scotland as the SNP Government faces fresh questions about its claims that renewables will provide a big boost to the economy.

The public spending watchdog warned last week that the flagship ScotWind leasing round is likely to generate much less work for the country's supply chain than hoped for by ministers as it highlighted big shortcomings in the management of the initiative.

The news came after Offshore Energies UK claimed that oil and gas firms were ready to sanction more than 100 North Sea projects, which could trigger a speedy increase in workloads. 

The reports have uncomfortable implications for the SNP Government as it tries to finalise an energy policy following years of prevarication. First minister John Swinney wants to keep SNP supporters in the north east heartlands of the oil and gas industry on side without alienating the greens the party is counting on to support the campaign for Scottish independence.

Mr Swinney has dodged questions about whether he would support plans for the controversial Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas developments, which prime minister Andy Burnham is considering.

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Mr Swinney’s predecessors Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon opposed plans for Rosebank and development of the huge Cambo oil field respectively.

However, the SNP Government has criticised the North Sea........

© Herald Scotland