Offshore wind energy
Scotland has a great deal of potential offshore wind resources. Its strong offshore winds provide the ideal conditions for technology which can harness this powerful resource. Offshore wind energy has the potential to play a pivotal role in Scotland’s energy system over the coming decades.
Continued growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector will be an essential feature of our future clean energy system and potential key driver of economic growth. An abundance of renewable energy resources creates opportunities to meet domestic needs, and to export low carbon energy to the rest of UK and Europe.
Sectoral marine plan for offshore wind energy
The Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (“SMP-OWE 2020”) was adopted by Scottish Ministers in 2020. SMP-OWE identifies 15 Plan options within Scottish waters suitable for the sustainable development of commercial-scale offshore wind projects (>100MW).
Following the 2021 leasing round and clearing process, Crown Estate Scotland awarded Option Agreements to 20 projects for a potential capacity of 27.6GW. To consider the impacts, Scottish Ministers concluded that the SMP-OWE 2020 required updating and re-assessment. These assessments have been underway as part of the Iterative Plan Review (IPR).
The updated SMP-OWE will set the planning framework for both the ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds. In doing so it will maximise deployment in Scottish waters whilst protecting marine users and our environment.
We will work with stakeholders to consider the potential impacts on the marine environment and other marine sectors as we develop the updated SMP-OWE. This will also include mitigation required to support the ambitious scale of development.
Timeline update
We notified stakeholders about our revised timeline for updating the Plan in November 2024. We will consult on a draft updated Plan in spring 2025. We will finalise a draft plan in autumn 2025 with adoption and publication following as soon as possible.
Our policy will continue to have a plan-led approach. We recognise that while an updated SMP-OWE is being prepared, developers may continue to submit applications which will be considered by Ministers. This will be on a case-by-case basis in line with the planning, consenting and assessment framework available at the time.
There is no delay or other significant implications arising from this revised timeline for any offshore wind project progressing through our licensing and consenting process.
Crown Estate Scotland have issued an update in relation to this timeline revision.
You can contact us by email: sectoralmarineplanning@gov.scot.
Previous offshore wind initiatives
Blue Seas - Green Energy: A Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters
Our vision for developing offshore wind energy up to and beyond 2020 was launched in the two-part publication Blue Seas - Green Energy: A Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters (2011).
- Blue Seas - Green Energy: Part B - Post Adoption Statement
- Economic Assessment of Short Term Options for Offshore Wind Energy in Scottish Territorial Waters
This publication was developed following a successful consultation and informed by a substantial evidence base of possible social and environmental interactions with offshore wind development.
Three projects delivered from Blue Seas – Green Energy have now progressed through the consenting process. Inch Cape and Neart na Gaoithe are both located in the Forth and Tay region whilst Beatrice, in the Moray Firth, was the first of these projects to be built (2019).
Two other projects, delivered through the UK SEA 2 process have also progressed through the consenting process. Moray East and West are located in the Moray Firth while SeaGreen is located farther offshore in the Forth and Tay Region.
Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Wind (2013)
In 2013, a Draft Sectoral Plan for progressing ten medium-term option areas was developed and published for consultation. In December 2014, Scottish Ministers decided not to progress two of the option areas located in South West Scotland and these were removed from the draft Plan. This Plan remains to be finalised. This was due to market uncertainty created by Electricity Market Reform at the time.
The 2013 draft Plan Options are included in the National Marine Plan and more information on that sectoral planning process is available alongside the supporting environmental assessments and consultation analysis.