A Scottish tidal energy specialist has won Scottish Government backing for its bid to develop a pioneering turbine manufacturing plant that could help Scotland become a leader in the field.

Nova Innovation has won £2 million funding for a project it says will develop the first European assembly line to mass manufacture tidal turbines.

The award comes as energy giant SSE prepares to ramp up investment in Scotland by tripling the generating capacity of a windfarm in the Highlands.

Perth-based SSE said the plan to add up to 20 turbines to the Achany windfarm in Sutherland would make a significant contribution to the movement towards green energy in Scotland and provide a boost to the local economy.

It held out the prospect that the Achany windfarm extension would create local jobs and opportunities for local businesses to win contracts.

The projects planned by Nova Innovation and SSE will be monitored closely in Scotland amid disappointment that investment in renewable energy facilities has yet to provide the boost to the wider supply chain and jobs on the scale that was hoped for.