Scotland is looking to maximise the benefits of its offshore wind pipeline by launching the Strategic Investment Model (SIM) for offshore wind. The SIM programme, managed by Arup, a leading sustainability consultancy, is aimed at identifying and agreeing investment priorities necessary to deliver the ScotWind and wider offshore wind pipeline and to maximise Scottish supply chain benefits.
The first stage of the SIM process is now open, and ports and supply chain companies are invited to submit proposals for consideration. Arup will then review investment opportunities with all ScotWind developers and the Scottish government.
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Selected capital projects will move into a stage 2 process in autumn 2023, where interested developers, government and other partners will work collaboratively to get sites to the final investment decision, ready to support ScotWind developments later this decade.
Brian McFarlane, Industry co-chair of SOWEC, said, “As an industry, we know that ScotWind presents a unique opportunity for Scotland. The opening of the SIM to project applications is a critical milestone in helping reach agreement on what port and manufacturing infrastructure we need to build in Scotland.”
Elliot Wishlade, Project Director, Arup Edinburgh, added, “Arup is pleased to launch the SIM and work closely with SOWEC, the Scottish government and offshore wind developers. We are looking forward to working with ports and the supply chain to help build the case for what and how we invest in Scotland to put the correct infrastructure in place.”
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Arup will now work to coordinate an application procedure, first agreeing priority collaborative proposals with ScotWind developers and the Scottish Government over summer 2023. Following this, a second stage of work will commence in autumn, with developers and government working alongside ports and other supply chain companies to establish how to bring these infrastructure investments forward so they are ready in time for ScotWind deployment later this decade.
