Posted on January 21, 2021
Crown Estate Scotland has officially opened the application window for ScotWind Leasing, the new offshore wind leasing round for Scottish waters.
This paves the way for registered developers to apply for seabed rights to build Scotland’s next generation of offshore wind farms.
Brian McFarlane, co-chair of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council and SSE Renewables’ head of projects, offshore renewables, said: “It’s exciting to see the ScotWind process reach this important milestone, which is a vital step along the way to unleashing the huge potential that Scotland’s seas hold for the development of offshore wind. In addition to being a tool to help meet our national net-zero targets, this leasing round also has the potential to develop and establish major economic benefits for many Scottish communities.”
Opening the application window follows the publication by Marine Scotland of their Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy outlining the areas suitable for development.
Crown Estate Scotland has now made available to registered applicants final technical details of the application requirements including provisions reflecting the Sectoral Marine Plan, which will enable them to make informed applications.
John Robertson, head of energy and infrastructure at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “Over the last three years, we’ve engaged extensively with industry and other interested groups about the goals and ambitions of ScotWind Leasing. This has helped ensure a robust and clear process that can successfully deliver the projects of the future and play a big role in Scotland’s net zero ambitions.”
The closing date for submitting applications is 31 March 2021.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
Source: maritimejournal
