Crown Estate Scotland has sought comment on new proposals to lease the seabed, to encourage a new generation of offshore wind projects in Scottish waters.
The paper outlines a provisional design for a complete leasing package. Crown Estate Scotland said it aimed to strike a suitable balance oin allowing flexibility to developers, in a way which is acceptable to a wide range of stakeholders, while unlocking wider benefits. Projects will have to be sited in areas identified in Marine Scotland’s forthcoming Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind.
Currently there are two offshore wind projects operating (Robin Rigg, Hywind Scotland), two being built (Beatrice and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre). Work needs to start now to ensure new projects are being built from late-2020s onwards, said Crown Estate Scotland.
John Robertson, senior energy & infrastructure manager at the organisation, 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.”
Roseanna Cunningham MSP, cabinet secretary for the environment, climate change & land reform, said, “It is important that Crown Estate Scotland makes available the right seabed locations at the right time, in order to contribute to delivery of our energy strategy, attract inward investment, develop new technology and continue to drive down the associated costs of offshore energy. I therefore encourage anyone with an interest to feedback to help shape Crown Estate Scotland’s contribution to our energy strategy.”