Groups are discussing the impact of the proposals

The �24m project would be developed near the Beatrice oil platform.

The oil company Talisman and Scottish & Southern Energy are seeking approval to build two giant wind turbines linked by a subsea cable.

The plans are supported by the Scottish Executive, the Department of Trade & Industry and the European Commission.

A range of interested organisations are attending a day-long meeting in Dingwall organised by the Moray Firth Partnership on behalf of Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy.

How an offshore wind turbine works More details

If approved, the demonstrator project will run for five years.

The aim is to increase the understanding of the environmental impact of deepwater wind farms, prove the concept and explore the cost-effectiveness of such sites

The executive and the DTI have each pledged �3m of support.

Project impact

Talisman's environment manager Jan Rusin said: "We have recently produced a scoping report describing the possible impacts of the project.

"At our meeting, we will be specifically discussing this report and delegates will have an opportunity to comment on it and suggest additional issues that may need to be considered as well as highlighting any other concerns they may have," she said.

"This represents the first step in an extensive consultation programme we will be running during the course of this year."