The Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland have reached an agreement aiming to increase the number of offshore wind contracts staying in Scotland. Under the deal, offshore wind developers will have to agree on supply-chain commitments when applying for offshore wind leases.
While Scotland provides an ideal location for offshore wind, recent projects have not delivered the economic opportunities aspired for Scottish businesses, noted Economy Secretary Derek Mackay.
The Scottish Government has been calling for the offshore sector to do more by awarding contracts to our indigenous supply chain but recent disappointments suggest that more has to be done.
The remarks were made at a summit in Edinburgh gathering representatives from the UK Government, trades unions, and industry to discuss how to discuss solutions to issues facing the offshore wind supply chain.
The measures agreed with Crown Estate Scotland will help to release more of those economic benefits for the Scottish economy and ensure that the Scottish-based supply chain is considered when tendering for work or making long-term conditions.
Scotland saw the opening of Beatrice, its largest offshore wind farm and the world’s fourth largest, on 29 July.
Scotland has unique potential when it comes to offshore wind and we’re committed to doing all we can to unlock that opportunity. ScotWind Leasing will present Scotland as an attractive destination for the significant investment needed to deliver the scale of offshore wind projects we want to see,
…said Colin Palmer, Director of Marine for Crown Estate Scotland.
