Crown Estate Scotland has launched the country’s first round of offshore wind leasing in ten years.
The Crown Estate predicts that over £8m worth of total investment could be put into ScotWind leasing projects when a new round is launched for the first time in a decade.
Crown Estate Scotland manages the nation’s seabed and predicts the opening of leasing would help towards Scotland’s environmental and economic recovery following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Business will be able to apply to build new offshore wind farms off the Scottish coast, helping the nation to increase the amount of renewable power in its energy mix.
Renewables are expected to play an important role as Scotland looks to become net zero carbon by 2045 and the Crown Estate believes a fresh round of leasing could provide enough green electricity to power every home in the country – saving over 6 million tonnes every year in Co2 emissions.
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scotland’s Energy Minister said: “The launch of ScotWind – the first offshore wind leasing round to be administered in Scotland – is a very important milestone for Crown Estate Scotland and Scottish Ministers, but also marks another pivotal moment for the development of our offshore wind sector and also presents an opportunity to help develop our strategic economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our seas are host to some of the best offshore wind resources in the world, supporting the continuing growth and expansion of the sector. We want to harness this huge resource for our energy system, unlocking significant investment in the supply chain to create more green jobs across the sector and, importantly, to do so in a way that gives due regard to our marine environment and other marine activities.”
Developers looking to build offshore windfarms in Scotland will be required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement. This statement will outline its intended supply chain which will deliver the project, establishing the development’s green credentials.
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