The Scottish government and offshore wind industry have launched a new partnership that aims to reach 8GW of installed capacity by 2030.
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council, co-chaired by Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse and SSE Renewables head of offshore projects Brian McFarlane, aims to lead and support the boosting of local content on projects.
Under a new vision, the council is seeking “an offshore wind sector which plays to Scotland’s strengths, delivering jobs, investment and export opportunities in line with the UK Sector Deal as a key part of the path to net-zero”, it said.
It has set out five goals, including the capacity target as well as increasing the number of jobs to more than 6000, up 75% on current figures.
Membership includes Scottish Renewables, Scottish Enterprise, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Crown Estate Scotland, Red Rock Power and the Energy Skills Partnership.
Wheelhouse (pictured) said: “Offshore wind presents an enormous opportunity for Scotland, both in terms of its ability to help us decarbonise our energy system and in terms of its potential to generate economic value for Scotland.
“The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council has been created to ensure that all those involved are pulling together to deliver on bold plans to create a competitive, commercially-attractive offshore wind sector in Scotland which can deliver both domestically and in the global offshore wind market, with opportunities to develop a globally-competitive supply chain for fixed foundation and floating wind technologies.
“The broad nature of the group – including as it does representatives from both the public and private sectors – and the skills and experience on which it can draw give Scotland the very best chance of success in offshore wind as these multi-billion pound renewable energy projects build out in Scottish waters.”
McFarlane added: “Offshore wind is great news for Scotland, delivering jobs, reduced carbon and lower energy bills.
“The Council’s goals are aligned around the need to capture Scotland’s offshore renewable energy resource in a way which delivers maximum economic and environmental advantage.”