Crown Estate Scotland has affirmed its plan to launch the ScotWind leasing round once a draft offshore wind sectoral plan is completed.
The seabed leasing agency issued an update on the round, which was originally due to open earlier in the year, and also confirmed it will close the application window one month after the sectoral document is formally adopted.
The blueprint, which is being drawn up by Marine Scotland, was originally due out in October but will not now by published until after the UK General Election.
The draft plan, which is to be signed off on in 2020, will identify the areas of seabed that developers can bid for in ScotWind.
“In addition to sector marine planning considerations, ScotWind leasing timescales must also account for the work that is ongoing to explore how new leasing can support the sustainability of offshore wind development in Scotland,” said Crown Estate Scotland.
“A final position on this will be in place before we launch ScotWind leasing. We will provide a further update on progress of this ongoing work and on ScotWind leasing timings early in the new year.”
CES also plans to hold two engagement events after the launch in Edinburgh and London.
The seabed leasing agency also confirmed it will hold a second cycle of leasing around two years after completion of the first.