The Scottish government has signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brittany to strengthen its position as a leader in European offshore energy.
The MOU, the first of its kind for the country with a region in France, will provide Scottish companies with opportunities to capitalise and share best practices on the expansion of offshore wind projects off the coast of Brittany.
A delegation of 15 firms – supported by Scottish Development International – recently met representatives from Brittany’s offshore wind sector to discuss future collaboration.
The MOU will also instigate a programme of actions that will cover institutional relations, culture and heritage, education and research, fisheries and diaspora.
Separately, the Scottish government signed the Rennes Declaration, which will build on existing cultural, historical and linguistic bonds with Brittany, Ireland, Wales and the Spanish region of Galicia.
The forum will also be an opportunity to discuss collaboration with other partners such as Cornwall and the Spanish region of Asturias.
In Rennes, attending the first-ever Celtic Forum, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “Scotland is working with our partners in Europe and this MOU and Declaration will help us collaborate across a range of topics.
“The people of Scotland resoundingly rejected Brexit, yet it has caused significant adverse impacts to our economy and trade relations.
“In spite of this, the Scottish government remains firmly committed to developing partnerships with our European neighbours.
“We are keen to maximise opportunities for Scottish companies to learn from our Celtic partners as we look towards a future with cleaner, greener energy.
“Scotland’s rich renewables endowment means we can not only generate enough cheap green electricity to power Scotland’s economy, but can also export electricity to our neighbours, supporting jobs here in Scotland and the decarbonisation ambitions of our partners.”