The UK Government has launched a consultation to decide whether or not to subsidise wind farms in the Western and Northern Isles.

The Conservatives have reaffirmed plans to spend £730m on alternative forms of renewables after vowing to end support for onshore wind in their 2015 election manifesto.

The consultation questions whether island wind developments should be treated differently than those on the mainland.

UK business and energy secretary Greg Clark said: "We're sending a clear signal that Britain is one of the best places in the world to invest in clean, flexible energy as we continue to upgrade our energy infrastructure.

"This is a key part of our upcoming Industrial Strategy, which will provide companies with the further support they need to innovate as we build a diverse energy system fit for the 21st century that is reliable while keeping bills down for our families and businesses."

Scottish Renewables said island communities would be left "bitterly disappointed" by the level of support announced by the government.

Chief executive Niall Stuart said: "The wave and tidal sectors are still at an incredibly early stage in their development and simply not ready to compete with offshore wind on cost alone.

"If we want to continue the development of the UK's world-leading wave and tidal sectors then we now need government to look at how it will support the development and roll-out of the technology to get it to the stage where it can compete in the future."

Four major wind developments have been earmarked for the islands, including the 460MW Viking Wind Farm in Shetland.