Scotland to Impose Local Content Requirements for Offshore Wind Projects

Under the agreement, offshore wind developers will have to agree on supply chain commitments when applying for leases.

According to the government, Scottish companies will benefit from new steps to increase the number of offshore wind contracts staying in Scotland.

Economy Secretary Derek Mackay stated that the measures agreed will help release more economic benefits for the Scottish economy and ensure that the local supply chain is considered when tendering for work or making long-term conditions.

“Scotland is the ideal location for offshore wind, but recent projects have not delivered the significant economic opportunities we want to see for Scottish businesses,” Mackay said.

“The Scottish Government has been calling for the offshore sector to do more by awarding contracts to our indigenous supply chain but recent disappointments suggest that more has to be done.”

According to the recently released Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (2019), Scotland is considering plans to add up to 10GW of new offshore wind capacity.

This draft plan identifies 17 areas, so-called Draft Plan Options (DPOs), split across five regions, which cover an area of 14,646 km2 and have a potential maximum realistic development scenario of up to 28GW of generating capacity.

The government recently opened a consultation on the draft plan which will run until 25 March. Following the consultation, the final plan will be prepared and presented for approval by the Scottish Ministers.