Offshore wind opportunity | ONE

Scotland’s net zero economy drives ahead with launch of first round of offshore wind leasing in Scottish waters for a decade.

Crown Estate Scotland, manager of Scotland’s seabed, has announced the launch of the first round of offshore wind leasing in Scottish waters for a decade.

The investment opportunity has been put at around £8bn and will form a major part of Scotland’s green recovery, with an estimated 10 GW of capacity to be approved in the first instance for new wind farm developments, with most of the proposed sites around the eastern and northern coasts of Scotland.

Trevor Garlick OBE, Chair ONE Energy said: “This announcement is welcome news and creates a huge opportunity for the region as we aim to accelerate the energy transition and build on the region's competitive advantage in fixed and floating offshore wind and help the supply chain to capitalise on transferable skills and technology.

“A number of the sites are expected to be in the north and east coasts of Scotland and can be serviced from the north east ports of Fraserburgh and Aberdeen. The planned Energy Transition Zone will offer combined marine and onshore support with extensive quay lengths, expansive laydown areas and the deepwater channel of the new South Harbour facility to accommodate large scale renewable activity to support these projects.

With a mature supply chain already diversified into the sector and unrivalled experience of major offshore, including deepwater projects it is vital we focus on the opportunity in front of us to anchor these businesses and their high-value employment long term.”

Information for potential applicants is accessed through an online portal from 10 June 2020.

As part of any lease application, developers will have to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement, outlining how they plan to engage with and utilise supply chain to successfully develop their projects. It will include:

• Information on the geographical location of supply chain activity
• Evidence relating to how their plan can be fulfilled

More information on how ScotWind Leasing will work can be found here.