The paper, published today, outlines the draft process and seeks feedback to help shape the final approach. Projects will have to be sited in areas identified in Marine Scotland’s forthcoming Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind.
Crown Estate Scotland – the public body that manages seabed leasing – passes the money it makes from offshore renewables to the Scottish Government for public spending.
Currently there are two offshore wind projects operating (Robin Rigg, Hywind Scotland), two being built (Beatrice and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre) and some more due to begin construction in the near future.
This proposed offshore wind leasing process aims to support supply chain development and sector innovation, create jobs and stimulate economic growth by:
John Robertson, Senior Energy & Infrastructure Manager at Crown Estate Scotland, said, “Using our seas to power Scotland is an important part of our economic and environmental well-being. To provide affordable, secure and clean energy, Scotland must continue to sustainably use its natural resources and grow the offshore wind sector.”
Claire Perry MP, UK Government Energy Minister, added, “Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are generating more clean energy than ever before with an impressive 15 percent of UK electricity coming from wind last year – up from less than 3 percent in 2010. The opening up of more seabed areas for new offshore wind projects is another step towards achieving our low cost, low carbon future.”
It can take five to ten years to develop and construct a new offshore wind project. The Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy confirms Ministers’ commitment to work with Crown Estate Scotland and Marine Scotland on new offshore wind, as part of a whole-system approach to meeting a 2030 target of 50 percent of energy consumption (heat, transport and electricity) being from renewable sources.
The UK Government’s Clean Growth Strategy also includes a commitment to work with Crown Estate Scotland to understand the potential for deployment of offshore wind from the late-2020s onwards.
Following feedback on the Discussion Document, Crown Estate Scotland plans to launch its final leasing process late 2018 or early 2019.
