Offshore wind
Offshore wind is at the heart of both energy and economic government policy in Scotland.
To build on our capabilities, we will invest up to £500m over 5 years to strengthen Scotland's offshore wind infrastructure and supply-chain. This investment has the potential to unlock an additional £1.5 billion in private investment. In the draft budget on 4 December 2024, Ministers took a strategic decision to almost triple the amount of capital investment for 2025 to 2026 (year two of the five-year investment) to £150 million.
This investment will serve as a catalyst for further private sector support and de-risk investment.
As part of our Scottish Government and wider public sector approach to delivering this investment, we reviewed the data around Scotland’s potential for offshore wind. We carried out analysis to identify gaps and opportunities to maximise economic benefit from the development of infrastructure, supply chain, skills and training.
As a result of that work, we published our offshore wind focus paper (September 2024). This sets out the key evidence underpinning the prioritisation of supply-chain components and the ports and harbours clusters critical for the successful build-out of our offshore wind projects
Accessing public sector support
We will deploy funding on a commercial-first approach through the Scottish National Investment Bank and Enterprise Agencies. This will help mobilise private capital to ensure we have the right infrastructure, facilities and supply chain capabilities in place.
The Scottish National Investment Bank and the Enterprise Agencies can advise on available support for companies and investors.
Building a skilled workforce
Scotland's offshore wind industry has the potential to create thousands of good jobs and boost the economy. To make this happen, we need to make sure we have the right people with the right skills at the right time
We launched the Offshore Wind Skills Programme in 2026 with £3.85 million of funding for 2026/2027. The programme will help industry and partners to train the workforce needed by the growing offshore wind sector. This programme builds on the initial 12 actions developed by the public sector and industry in the offshore wind skills and priorities action plan (November 2025).
The programme is designed to support targeted projects that support the immediate skills needs in our offshore wind sector while creating opportunities for people across Scotland to access the jobs that offshore wind creates. Alongside delivering tangible skills and workforce outcomes, the programme will help build the evidence needed to inform future investment and programme design. This will ensure Scotland is well placed to maximise the economic and employment opportunities presented by offshore wind and support a just transition to net zero.
For details on funding that has been awarded, see the announcements below.
Funding still available
We're inviting organisations - or groups of organisations - to apply for funding. Successful proposals will need to show they offer good value for money, have clear benefits, and are backed by investment from industry. There's no closing date for applications, but all funded activity must take place in 2026/27.
How to apply
If you have any questions or want to apply, contact us at: offshorewindskillsprogramme@gov.scot