Scotland May Export Renewable Energy to Boost Local Economy

Scotland has launched a study to test the feasibility of exporting green energy from Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles to the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, which would create a new source of revenue for the islands' 22,000 residents.

According to the Times of London, the idea would be to generate electricity with renewable wind and wave energy, then transfer it to countries such as Norway and the UK using underwater cables. The plan has the potential to transform Scotland's islands into Europe's green energy powerhouse and to create huge economic benefits for the region.

Nations throughout Europe and around the world are responding to the threat of global warming by seeking ways to increase their use of renewable energy and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which makes Scotland's plan to develop and export renewable energy even more potentially viable.

Officials in Scotland believe the project could be up and running in as little as five years.