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An alliance of energy, construction and design companies hopes to drive down the cost of electricity generated from offshore wind by working together.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Fife-based Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab).

Siemens, Subsea 7 and Atkins are the other companies to sign the deal.

The aim of the collaboration is to lower the capital and supply chain costs of offshore wind farms.

Jim Smith, director of Offshore Renewables for SSE, said the energy potential of offshore wind was vast.

He added: "This innovative alliance brings together leading players in offshore wind and offshore oil and gas.

"It should result in the kind of collaborative approach to the big issues that is necessary to make offshore wind the long-term success it can and should be."