THE next generation of offshore wind farms is a step closer with the announcement by Crown Estate Scotland that it is opening consultation on its plan to lease large areas of the seabed for green energy projects.
The aim is to encourage new offshore wind projects in Scotland’s waters, and any successful projects will boost income for the Scottish Government – Crown Estate Scotland passes the money it makes from offshore renewables to the Scottish Government for public spending.
Currently there are two offshore wind projects operating (Robin Rigg, Hywind Scotland), two being built (Beatrice and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre) and some more due to start being built soon. This means that work needs to start now to ensure new projects are being built from late-2020s onwards.
Crown Estate Scotland says that this proposed offshore wind leasing process aims to support supply chain development and sector innovation, create jobs and stimulate economic growth, and it is seeking views on the process.
John Robertson, senior energy and infrastructure manager at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “Using our seas to power Scotland is an important part of our economic and environmental wellbeing. To provide affordable, secure and clean energy, Scotland must continue to sustainably use its natural resources and grow the offshore wind sector.”
Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, said: “The potential benefits of offshore renewable energy to Scotland are enormous. That is why it is important that Crown Estate Scotland makes available the right seabed locations at the right time, in order to contribute to delivery of our energy strategy, attract inward investment, develop new technology and continue to drive down the associated costs of offshore energy. I therefore encourage anyone with an interest to feed back to help shape Crown Estate Scotland’s contribution to our energy strategy.”
Fabrice Leveque, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “The offshore wind projects which are currently being developed in Scotland are already providing enormous economic benefits to our country.
“Crown Estate Scotland’s proposals set the tone for the future of this vibrant sector.”
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