Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland have joined forces to collect and share data that will provide a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of the United Kingdom's seabed. This strategic partnership is poised to benefit a diverse range of stakeholders, the natural environment, and expedite the sustainable deployment of offshore technologies crucial to the UK's journey towards a net-zero energy future.
The Marine Data Exchange, originally established by the Crown Estate in 2013, takes center stage in this initiative. It serves as a world-leading digital platform for aggregating and disseminating essential information related to various offshore activities. With one of the world's most extensive collections of freely accessible data pertaining to the seas around England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the platform is now set to expand its coverage to include Scottish waters.
The Marine Data Exchange offers users access to an “unparalleled range of information” sourced from diverse industries, encompassing offshore wind, tidal and wave energy, marine aggregates, and research and evidence projects.
This collaborative endeavor aligns with the Crown Estate's overarching commitment to investing in evidence and data as part of its strategic priorities, including climate change and energy security, nature recovery, and support for economic growth.
Gus Jaspert, Managing Director for Marine at the Crown Estate, emphasized the significance of having robust evidence and data for effective management of the UK's seabed. He highlighted the multifaceted importance of the seabed, from its role in the transition to green and secure energy to its support for various livelihoods and vital natural habitats and wildlife.
Colin Palmer, Director of Marine at Crown Estate Scotland, emphasized the role of the Marine Data Exchange in aiding the UK's decarbonization efforts and meeting net-zero targets. This includes support for the recently concluded ScotWind Leasing round, which encompasses 20 projects with a cumulative clean energy capacity of 27.6GW. This ambitious endeavor plays a central role in addressing the climate emergency, securing the nation's energy supply, and attracting substantial investment into the economy.
The collaboration between the Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland reflects a commitment to harnessing data and knowledge-sharing as catalysts for informed decision-making, advancing sustainable offshore technologies, and contributing to the UK's transition to a net-zero energy future.
