Offshore wind - marine planning hub: contacts
- Published
- 22 January 2026
- Directorate
- Offshore Wind Directorate, +1 more … Marine Directorate
List of contacts for enquiries relating to the planning and development process of offshore wind farms. This hub is a collaborative working arrangement between relevant directorates and provides an easy access point.
Marine consenting and licensing
There are a number of different types of licensing and consenting requirements within the marine environment. Licensing and consenting is an important way of permitting activity while protecting the environment, legitimate uses of the sea and human health. These licences and consents are issued for the construction of offshore grid infrastructure and renewable energy (wind, wave, tidal) projects.
Read more on the Marine licensing and consenting: offshore renewable energy projects web pages.
Contacts:
Offshore renewables: md.marinerenewables@gov.scot
Ports, harbours and marine interconnectors: MD.MarineLicensing@gov.scot
National marine planning
Scotland’s first National Marine Plan (NMP) (adopted in 2015) is a statutory publication which sets out how Scottish Ministers intend marine space and resources to be used out to 200 nautical miles. It supports a balance between economic development and environmental protection of Scotland’s seas. This guides marine decision making to achieve sustainable management. All relevant authorities must make authorisation or enforcement decisions in accordance with the adopted marine plan, unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise.
We are currently updating the NMP, the NMP2 will support sustainable development or our seas, protect our marine environment and deliver for our coastal communities.
Find out more on the National marine planning and Scotland's National Marine Plan web pages or contact us using the following email.
Contact: NationalMarinePlanning@gov.scot
Regional marine planning
Regional Marine Plans allow for more local ownership and reflect location specific issues, empowering communities through local decision making where appropriate
We created 11 Scottish Marine Regions, each covering sea areas extending out to 12 nautical miles. The Marine Scotland Act 2010 provides powers for Scottish Ministers to delegate elements of marine planning to a nominated party. This includes developing a Regional Marine Plan. Delegates have been established in the Shetland, Orkney and Clyde marine regions.
Read more about regional marine planning.
Contact: RegionalMarinePlanning@gov.scot
Offshore wind energy and sectoral marine planning
Sectoral marine planning establishes the spatial planning considerations for the sustainable development of commercial-scale offshore wind energy in Scotland by considering the needs of other marine users and the environment.
Read more about sectoral marine planning.
Contact: SectoralMarinePlanning@gov.scot
Marine Recovery Fund (MRF)
We are developing a Scottish Marine Recovery Fund, working closely with the UK Government. The Fund will help deliver environmental compensation.
Read more about the Strategic Compensation policy for offshore wind on the consultation page..
Contact: Marinerecoveryfund@gov.scot
Strategic compensation policy
We are developing new policy to provide a more flexible approach to environmental compensation for offshore wind.
Read more on the Strategic Compensation Policy for Offshore Wind consultation web page.
Contact: StrategicCompensation@gov.scot
Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) programme
Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) programme
The ScotMER programme brings stakeholders together to conduct priority research aimed at minimising the risks associated with the planning and consenting of marine and offshore renewable energy.
Read more on the Science and research - Marine renewable energy web pages.
Contact: ScotMER@gov.scot
Offshore wind policy and other general enquiries on offshore wind
Offshore wind is at the heart of both energy and economic government policy in Scotland. We are working to deliver an enabling policy environment that:
- promotes offshore wind sector growth
- ensures communities across Scotland benefit
- balances impacts on the marine environment and other sea users.
We are also driving the economic benefit from offshore wind by:
- investing in our ports infrastructure and supply chain
- catalysing significant private investment
- supporting job creation across Scotland
Read more on the Offshore wind - renewable and low carbon energy web pages.
Contact: OffshoreWindHub@gov.scot