The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on its updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy, outlining how future projects will be developed in Scottish waters under the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds.
The revised draft plan aims to balance the expansion of renewable energy with environmental, social and economic considerations, drawing on new scientific research and marine data to assess potential impacts on wildlife, fisheries, and coastal communities.
“Growing Scotland’s offshore wind sector presents enormous economic opportunities for our country, with the chance to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs while accelerating our journey to net zero,” said Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin.
“Our updated Sectoral Marine Plan provides clarity, certainty and confidence to investors and other marine users, to ensure development is sustainable and balances the needs of communities, nature and other users of the sea,” she added.
The plan is intended to guide the sustainable development of offshore wind sites, while allowing marine stakeholders, including fishers and island residents, to contribute feedback during the consultation process.
Crown Estate Scotland also welcomed the draft. “We are proud to have conducted two successful offshore wind leasing rounds and are working in partnership with the sector to enable these projects to deliver maximum value for Scotland,” said Mike Spain, marine director at Crown Estate Scotland.
Spain encouraged broad participation in the consultation, saying: “We welcome the publication of the draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan and encourage all those with an interest in Scotland’s offshore wind sector to engage with this consultation.”
The consultation process is open to the public and will inform the final version of the plan, which is seen as a key step in advancing Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions.
