Updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement: island communities impact assessment
Considers whether an island communities impact assessment is required for the updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement.
Reason for not completing a full Islands Communities Impact Assessment:
No policy issues were identified during the course of the development of the uOWPS, or from the public consultation, which would have an effect on an island community which was significantly different from the effect on other communities (including other island communities). It was therefore not considered necessary to conduct an ICIA.
The statement is a high level document, setting out an updated offshore wind GW ambition for Scotland, informed by a public consultation. The uOWPS does not look at communities in Scotland at a granular level to assess the impacts the delivery of the project pipeline (in order to achieve the ambition) may have.
Any future plans or new policy that stems from the uOWPS should undertake their own ICIA to fairly and robustly assess the impacts to island communities.
ICIA approved by:
Position: Deputy Director for Offshore Wind Skills and Policy
Signature: Laura Murdoch
Date completed: 16/03/2026
ICIA approved by:
Position: Cabinet Secretary for Climate Energy and Action
Signature: Gillian Martin MSP
Date approved: 19/03/2026
Contact
Email: OWPS@gov.scot