The Scottish Government has increased its offshore wind target from the current 8 GW to 11 GW of capacity to be installed by 2030.
The Scots also adopted a plan identifying suitable areas for commercial-scale offshore wind projects, which will inform the first seabed leasing process led by the Crown Estate Scotland.
According to the government, the aim of increasing the offshore wind capacity supports the delivery of Scotland’s 2017 Energy Strategy and the decarbonization of heat and transport.
The plan has been agreed following extensive consultations with industry, stakeholders, coastal communities and environmental organizations.
“Our seas are host to some of the best offshore wind resources in the world and our ambition to capitalise on our offshore wind generation capacity is part of the bold action we are taking to support economic recovery and become a net-zero society,” said Scotland’s Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse .
“To ensure that developers have a clear framework to deliver the next round of offshore wind projects, we have also published a Sectoral Marine Plan identifying areas that are appropriate for commercial-scale developments and providing a strategic springboard for achieving our aspirations for future development.”