Offshore wind energy - draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan 2025: consultation

We are consulting on the draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy which provides the spatial planning framework for the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds.

Open
44 days to respond
Respond online


Footnotes

1 Scottish Government (2025) Offshore wind – potential project capital value: factsheet

[online] Available at: Offshore wind – potential project capital value: factsheet - gov.scot (accessed 07/05/2025)

2 Crown Estate Scotland (2024) Briefing: ScotWind Leasing for offshore wind [online] Available at: ScotWind Leasing Briefing Nov 2023 PDF.pdf

3 Crown Estate Scotland (2024) Briefing: ScotWind Leasing for offshore wind [online] Available at: ScotWind Leasing Briefing Nov 2023 PDF.pdf

4 Initial Plan Framework Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation (INTOG)

5 SEIA Section 2.4 and Appendix D

6 It is expected that floating substructures will need to be temporarily stored during construction and maintenance in coastal locations. Typically, the floating substructures are delivered to the construction port and turbines are added to the floating substructures during final assembly. These floating turbines can then be temporarily stored near ports or along the coastline before the they are towed out to the wind farm for final installation. The turbines may also be towed back to the same or different coastal location for maintenance.

7 The SEIA assumes that all fishing activity ceases within floating arrays, and is not displaced elsewhere (i.e. activity ceases to take place at all). Within fixed arrays, it is assumed that pots and traps are able to resume at 75% of previous activity and beam trawls and scallop dredges are able to resume at 33% of previous activity.

8 The Wave Plan Options and Tidal Plan Options were initially identified in the Draft Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy in Scotland published in 2013 and were incorporated into Scotland’s National Marine Plan published in 2015. Available at: Scotland’s National Marine Plan: A Single Framework for Managing Our Seas. (Accessed 31/1/2025).

9 Connections Reform | National Energy System Operator

10 Initial Plan Framework Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation (INTOG)

11 Strategic Energy Planning Environmental Assessments

12 The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, SI 2004/1663 [online] Available at: The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (accessed 12/03/2025)

13 Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, asp 15 [online] Available at: Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (accessed 12/03/2025)

14 UK Government (2020) Offshore Wind: Sector Deal [online]. Available at: Offshore wind: Sector Deal - GOV.UK (accessed12/03/2025).

15 Scottish Government (2020) Offshore Wind Policy Statement [online]. Available at: Offshore wind policy statement - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

16 UK Government (2020) The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution [online]. Available at: The ten point plan for a green industrial revolution - GOV.UK (accessed12/03/2025)

17 UK Government (2023) Offshore Transmission Network Review [online]. Available at: Offshore Transmission Network Review – GOV.UK (accessed 12/03/2025)

18 UK Government (2021) North Sea Transition Deal. Available at: North Sea Transition Deal - GOV.UK (accessed12/03/2025).

19 UK Government (2022) British Energy Security Strategy [online]. Available at: British energy security strategy - GOV.UK (accessed12/03/2025).

20 Scottish Government (2023) Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan [online]. Available at: Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

21 UK Government (2024) Clean Power 2030 Action Plan [online]. Available at: Clean Power 2030 Action Plan - GOV.UK (accessed 12/03/2025).

22 UK Government (2009) Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 [online]. Available at: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (accessed 12/03/2025).

23 Scottish Government (2010). Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 [online] Available at: Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (accessed 12/03/2025).

24 UK Government (2011) UK Marine Policy Statement [online]. Available at: UK marine policy statement - GOV.UK (accessed12/03/2025).

25 Scottish Government (2022) A Blue Economy Vision for Scotland [online]. Available at: A Blue Economy Vision for Scotland - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

26 Scottish Government (2024) Marine Science and Innovation Strategy [online]. Available at: Marine science and innovation strategy - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

27 Scottish Government (2023). National Planning Framework 4 [online] Available at: Supporting documents - National Planning Framework 4 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

28 Scottish Government (2015) Scotland’s National Marine Plan [online]. Available at: Scotland's National Marine Plan - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

29 Scottish Government (2024) National Marine Plan 2: Planning Position Statement [online]. Available at: National Marine Plan 2 - planning position statement: consultation - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

30 Scottish Government (2025) Marine planning [online] Available at: Regional marine planning - Marine planning - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

31 Scottish Government (2017) National Marine Plan policies for regional planning [online] Available at: National Marine Plan policies for regional planning - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

32 Convention on Biological Diversity (2022) The Convention on Biological Diversity [online] Available at: The Convention on Biological Diversity (accessed 12/03/2025)

33 Convention on Biological Diversity (undated). Conference of the Parties (COP) [online] Available at: Conference of the Parties (COP) (accessed 12/03/2025)

34 Convention on Biological Diversity (2024) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework [online] Available at: A new global framework for managing nature through 2030: First detailed draft agreement debuts | Convention on Biological Diversity (accessed 12/03/2025)

35 Convention on Biological Diversity (2024) Biodiversity COP 16 [online] Available at: Biodiversity COP 16: Important Agreements Reached Towards making Peace with Nature | Convention on Biological Diversity (accessed 12/03/2025)

36 Convention on Biological Diversity (2025) Governments agree on the way forward to mobilise the resources needed to protect biodiversity for people and planet [online] Available at: COP 16 resumed session closing (accessed 10/03/2025)

37 OSPAR Commission (2024). Marine Protected Areas [online] Available at: Marine Protected Areas | OSPAR Commission (accessed 12/03/2025)

38 OSPAR Commission (2024). List of Threatened and/or Declining Species & Habitats. Available at: List of Threatened and/or Declining Species & Habitats | OSPAR Commission (accessed 12/03/2025)

39 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora [online] Available at: Directive - 92/43 - EN - Habitats Directive - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

40 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds [online] Available at: Directive - 2009/147 - EN - Birds Directive - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

41 The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, and the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 are collectively known as the Habitats Regulations

42 The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 [online] Available at: The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (accessed 12/03/2025)

43 Scottish Government (2020). EU Exit: habitats regulations in Scotland [online] Available at: Amendments to the Habitats Regulations - EU Exit: habitats regulations in Scotland - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

44 JNCC (2022) UK Protected Areas [online] Available at: UK Protected Areas | JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation (accessed 12/03/2025)

45 NatureScot (2023). Sites of Special Scientific Interest [online] Available at: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) | NatureScot (accessed 12/03/2025)

46 Scottish Government (2020). EU Exit: marine environmental legislation in Scotland. Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 [online] Available at: Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 - EU Exit: marine environmental legislation in Scotland - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

47 Scottish Government (2020). EU Exit: marine environmental legislation in Scotland. Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 [online] Available at: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 - EU Exit: marine environmental legislation in Scotland - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

48 Scottish Government (2013). 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity: A Strategy for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in Scotland [online] Available at: 2020 Challenge for Scotland's Biodiversity - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

49 Convention on Biological Diversity (2010). Aichi Biodiversity Targets [online] Available at: Aichi Biodiversity Targets (accessed 12/03/2025)

50 European Commission (2011) European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 [online] Available at: Biodiversity strategy for 2020 | EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

51 Scottish Government (2004). Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy: It’s in Your Hands – A strategy for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in Scotland [online] Available at: Scotland's biodiversity: it's in your hands - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

52 NatureScot (2024). Scottish Biodiversity Strategy [online] Available at: Scottish Biodiversity Strategy | NatureScot (accessed 12/03/2025)

53 Scottish Government (2020). Scottish biodiversity strategy post-2020: statement of intent [online] Available at: Scottish biodiversity strategy post-2020: statement of intent - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

54 Scottish Government (2024). Biodiversity strategy: consultation. Available at: Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2022 - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space (accessed 12/03/2025)

55 Scottish Government (2024). Biodiversity strategy to 2045. Available at: Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 - gov.scot https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-biodiversity-strategy-2045-tackling-nature-emergency-scotland/(accessed 12/03/2025)

56 European Commission (2012) Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC [online] Available at: Directive - 2012/18 - EN - Seveso III - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

57 The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015, SI 2015/483 [online] Available at: The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (accessed 12/03/2025)

58 European Commission (2006) Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water quality and repealing Directive 76/160/EEC [online] Available at: Directive - 2006/7 - EN - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

59 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, 2003 asp 2 [online] Available at: Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (accessed 12/03/2025)

60 European Commission (2002) Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise – Declaration by the Commission in the Conciliation Committee on the Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise [online] Available at: Directive - 2002/49 - EN - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

61 Environmental Protection Act 1990, 1990/Chapter 43 [online] Available at: Environmental Protection Act 1990 (accessed 12/03/2025)

62 The Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, 2006 SSI No. 465 [online] Available at: The Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (accessed 12/03/2025)

63 Scottish Government (2019) The National Plan for Scotland’s Islands [online]. Available at: The National Plan for Scotland's Islands - gov.scot (accessed12/03/2025).

64 European Commission (2014). Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning [online] Available at: Directive - 2014/89 - EN - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

65 Scottish Government (2018). Scottish Coastal Forum (SCF) [online] Available at: Scottish Coastal Forum (SCF) - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

66 Scottish Government (2009). The Scottish Soil Framework [online] Available at: Contents - The Scottish Soil Framework - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

67 Scottish Government (2009). The Scottish Soil Framework [online] Available at: Contents - The Scottish Soil Framework - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

68 JNCC (2019). Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas [online] Available at: Nature Conservation MPAs | JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation (accessed 12/03/2025)

69 UKMMAS (undated) Introduction to UK Marine Strategy [online] Available at: Introduction to UK Marine Strategy - Marine online assessment tool (accessed 12/03/2025)

70 Defra (2019) Marine Strategy Part One: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Status October 2019 [online] Available at: Marine Strategy Part One: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Statusf (accessed 12/03/2025)

71 Scottish Government (2009). The Scottish Soil Framework [online] Available at: Contents - The Scottish Soil Framework - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

72 MARPOL (2017). International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) [online] Available at: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) (accessed 12/03/2025)

73 European Commission (2000). Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy [online] Available at: Directive - 2000/60 - EN - Water Framework Directive - EUR-Lex(accessed 12/03/2025)

74 Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, asp 3 [online] Available at: Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (accessed 12/03/2025)

75 SEPA (2016). River Basin Management Planning [online] Available at: River basin management planning | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) (accessed 12/03/2025)

76 The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, SSI No. 209 [online] Available at: The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (accessed 12/03/2025)

77 The Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012, SSI No. 306 [online] Available at: The Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (accessed 12/03/2025)

78 UKMMAS (2018) Introduction to UK Marine Strategy [online] Available at: Introduction to UK Marine Strategy - Marine online assessment tool (accessed 12/03/2025)

79 Defra (2019) Marine Strategy Part One: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Status October 2019 [online] Available at: Marine strategy part one: UK updated assessment and Good Environmental Status - GOV.UK (accessed 12/03/2025)

80 European Environment Agency (2007). Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment and management of flood risks [online] Available at: Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment and management of flood risks — European Environment Agency (accessed 12/03/2025)

81 Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, asp 6 [online] Available at: Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (accessed 12/03/2025)

82 UNFCC (2016). The Paris Agreement [online] Available at: The Paris Agreement | UNFCCC (accessed 12/03/2025)

83 European Commission (2016). Paris Agreement [online] Available at: EUR-Lex - 22016A1019(01) - EN - EUR-Lex (accessed 12/03/2025)

84 Climate Change Committee (2023) Climate action [online] Available at: Climate action - Climate Change Committee (accessed 12/03/2025)

85 Climate Change Committee (2019) Net Zero: The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming [online] Available at: Net Zero - The UK's contribution to stopping global warming - Climate Change Committee (accessed 12/03/2025)

86 Climate Change Committee (2015) The Fifth Carbon Budget [online] Available at: Advice on the fifth carbon budget - Climate Change Committee (accessed 12/03/2025)

87 Climate Change Committee (2020) The Sixth Carbon Budget [online] Available at: Sixth Carbon Budget - Climate Change Committee (accessed 12/03/2025)

88 Climate Change Committee (2025) The Seventh Carbon Budget [online] Available at: The Seventh Carbon Budget - Climate Change Committee (accessed 12/03/2025).

89 Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 [online] Available at: Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 (accessed 12/03/2025)

90 Scottish Government (2024). Climate Change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions [online] Available at: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions - Climate change - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

91 Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024 [online] Available at: Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2024 (accessed 12/03/2025)

92 Scottish Government (2020). Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 – update [online] Available at: Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 - update - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

93 Scottish Government (2020) The Environment Strategy for Scotland [online]. Available at: The Environment Strategy for Scotland: vision and outcomes - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

94 Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, asp 5 [online] Available at: Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (accessed 12/03/2025)

95 Scottish Government (2015). Scotland's National Marine Plan [online] Available at: Scotland's National Marine Plan - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

96 Scottish Government (2023). National Planning Framework 4 [online] Available at: Supporting documents - National Planning Framework 4 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

97 Scottish Government (2019). Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024 [online] Available at: Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

98 Scottish Government (2024). Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 [online] Available at: Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

99 UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 (undated) COP26 [online] Available at: UK Government Web Archive (accessed 12/03/2025)

100 UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 (undated) COP26: The Glasgow Climate Pact [online] Available at: [ARCHIVED CONTENT] (accessed 12/03/2025)

101 UN Climate Change (2022) Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan [online] Available at: Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan | UNFCCC (accessed 12/03/2025)

102 UN Climate Change (2023) COP28 Agreement Signals “Beginning of the End” of the Fossil Fuel Era [online] Available at: COP28 Agreement Signals “Beginning of the End” of the Fossil Fuel Era | UNFCCC (accessed 12/03/2025)

103 UN Climate Change (2024) COP29 UN Climate Conference Agrees to Triple Finance to Developing Countries, Protecting Lives and Livelihoods [online] Available at: COP29 UN Climate Conference Agrees to Triple Finance to Developing Countries, Protecting Lives and Livelihoods | UNFCCC (accessed 12/03/2025)

104 UNESCO (2001). Text of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage [online] Available at: Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage - UNESCO Digital Library(accessed 12/03/2025)

105 The Crown Estate (2006). Maritime Cultural Heritage & Seabed Development - JNAPC Code of Practice for Seabed Development – Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee [online] Available at: Publications – JNAPC (accessed 12/03/2025)

106 COWRIE (2007). Historic Environment Guidance for the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector [online] Available at: archaeo_guide (accessed 12/03/2025)

107 Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, 1973/Chapter 33 [online] Available at: Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 (accessed 12/03/2025)

108 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, 1979/Chapter 46 [online] Available at: Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (accessed 12/03/2025)

109 Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act (2011), asp 3 [online] Available at: Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011 (accessed 12/03/2025)

110 Historic Environment Scotland (2023). Our Past, our Future, The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment [online] Available at: Our Past, Our Future | Historic Environment Scotland | History (accessed 12/03/2025)

111 Historic Environment Scotland (2019). Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS) [online] Available at: Historic Environment Policy for Scotland | Historic Environment Scotland (accessed 12/03/2025)

112 Scottish Government (2023). National Planning Framework 4 [online] Available at: Supporting documents - National Planning Framework 4 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

113 European Landscape Convention (2000) Text of the ELC [online] Available at: Full list - Treaty Office (accessed 12/03/2025)

114 Scottish Government (2023). National Planning Framework 4 [online] Available at: Supporting documents - National Planning Framework 4 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

115 NatureScot (2017). NatureScot Landscape Policy Framework [online] Available at: NatureScot Landscape Policy Framework | NatureScot (accessed 12/03/2025)

116 Scottish Government (2023). National Planning Framework 4 [online] Available at: Supporting documents - National Planning Framework 4 - gov.scot (accessed 12/03/2025)

117 NatureScot (2017). Siting and Designing Wind Farms in the Landscape – Version 3a [online] Available at: Siting and designing wind farms in the landscape - version 3a | NatureScot (accessed 12/03/2025)

118 NatureScot (2012). Offshore Renewables – guidance on assessing the impact on coastal landscape and seascape [online] Available at: Offshore Renewables - Guidance on Assessing the Impact on Coastal Landscape and Seascape: Guidance for Scoping an Environmental Statement | Tethys (accessed 12/03/2025)

119 RWE (2024) Robin Rigg East and West [online] Available at Robin Rigg East and West offshore wind farm (accessed 12/12/2024)

Contact

Email: SectoralMarinePlanning@gov.scot

Back to top