The Crown Estate has awarded four companies offshore wind demonstration sites in England and Scotland.

A number of next generation wind turbines will be tested at Gunfleet Sands, the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration site and Aberdeen Bay under the plans to determine the cost and technical challenges presented by the construction of turbines further offshore and at greater depths.

2-B Energy has also been granted permission to test two of its wind turbines at the Methil Offshore Wind Farm.

Rob Hastings, director of marine estate at the Crown Estate, said that "technical innovation is essential to cutting offshore wind costs".

He added that the announcement supports the industry in its efforts to demonstrate its technology and is "another positive step to help further grow the UK's capacity for secure offshore wind energy".

Recent research from PricewaterhouseCoopers claimed that the offshore wind sector must deliver around half of the additional 27GW generation capacity required by the UK by 2020 if the country is to meet its renewable generation targets.