Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (pictured) has said her government will do “everything in our power” to bolster confidence among offshore wind suppliers concerned about the size of future orderbooks.
Delivering a keynote speech at ORE Catapult’s Spotlight event in Edinburgh this morning (11 December), Forbes said market headwinds had put Scotland at a “critical juncture” in fulfilling the “era-defining” opportunity to capture the employment and wider economic benefits of delivering the country’s 25GW+ pipeline of projects.
Forbes told delegates that Holyrood would continue to provide “strategic funding” to the supply chain via grants and other state-backed financing from organisations including enterprise agencies, the Scottish National Investment Bank and the Crown Estate Scotland.
She also praised the direct project investments made this autumn by state-owned Great British Energy and other public bodies in CIP’s proposed 100MW Pentland floating wind farm off Caithness.
“I am acutely aware that order uncertainty is one of the most pressing challenges you face,” said Forbes.
“In Scotland our policy position is clear. We need you to be really successful, not just because it is a nice thing to have but because Scotland’s future economic success is contingent on your success.
“How we do that is entirely through collaboration and working together, recognising that despite the barriers there is a route through.”
Speaking in a panel session Forbes also said the results expected in mid-January for the in-progress Allocation Round 7 would potentially be a “pivotal moment” to inject fresh momentum into the sector and shore up demand should some Scottish wind farms clear the auction.
“It feels like a lot is hanging on it and it feels like a lot is at stake,” she added.