Scotland is to house a major new offshore windfarm development.
The renewable energy expansion was given the green light by the Crown Estates on Friday, meaning work can now begin on the creation of 950 offshore turbines in the Moray Firth and Firth of Forth.
Once complete, the scheme will feed the UK grid with an additional 4.7 giga watts of energy - enough to power more than three million homes.
First Minister Alex Salmond described the development as "excellent news for Scotland", adding: "This gives the green light for a massive multi-billion pound expansion of offshore wind electricity generation.
"Scotland already holds a competitive advantage in developing offshore renewables - having as much as a quarter of Europe's offshore wind and tidal energy potential and a world-class scientific capacity and skills base."
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said today: "Scotland is the windiest country in Europe, and this shows we're creating the right conditions for the energy industry to invest in harnessing it.
"This is one of the strongest signals yet that Scotland is right at the heart of the UK's commitment to a low carbon, energy secure, prosperous future.
"But it's also great news for the manufacturing industry and supply chain in Scotland."
However, there has been concerns that the workings of the UK power grid will have to change to support renewable energy projects. It is currently much more expensive to transfer power to the grid from isolated areas than it is from urban ones.
Alex Salmond said: "A remaining concern for Scotland is how renewable energy developers north of the border are discriminated against by higher Grid connection charges - while many in London and the south west actually receive subsidies. I'm pleased to announce that next week Jim Mather is bringing together the National Grid, Ofgem and energy firms in a bid to resolve this issue."
The Crown Estate is the owner of the UK's coastal seabeds and has granted development rights to energy firms on behalf of the UK Government.
It is the third round of grants to create new jobs in manufacturing, research and engineering in Scotland. The Scottish rights are among nine being granted today across the UK.
The Moray Firth zone will be developed by a partnership involving EDP Renewables and SeaEnergy. The Forth zone will be developed by SeaGreen Wind Energy and Airtricity, as well as Fluor.
A £1.5m grant has also been handed to Fife firm Burntisland Fabrications to provide supply chain support to the development.
Ian Scrimger, the firm's business development manager, said: "This is a great opportunity for the UK manufacturing industry and the supply chain creating thousands of jobs."
Mr Murphy added: "We understand that the supply chain has to be supported in order to be able to capitalise on this expansion and we are demonstrating that today by awarding grants to several leading players including Burntisland Fabrications."
