Massive investment in Scotland’s offshore wind
With the latest developments in Scotland’s offshore wind industry, our renewables revolution is powering ahead.
Billions will be invested in high quality green jobs and Scotland’s just transition to net zero, as 17 new offshore wind projects got the go-ahead.
Here’s all you need to know.
Potential to generate 25 gigawatts of clean, green energy
The 17 new offshore wind projects, announced as part of the ScotWind auction, have a combined potential capacity to generate up to 25GW (gigawatts) of energy.
For perspective, the current capacity of offshore wind in Scotland is almost 2GW – and another 8.4GW in construction or advanced development.
š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ Scotland’s renewable energy revolution is powering ahead.
ā 17 offshore wind projects have been given the go-ahead, with commitments to invest in the Scottish supply chain.
š·š¼ Billions will be invested in good, green jobs in Scotland – and reaching net zero by 2045. pic.twitter.com/3yIHq0iu9P
ā The SNP (@theSNP) January 17, 2022
Just how much energy is it?
Scotland’s biggest existing offshore wind farm – Moray East, in the Outer Moray Firth, is Scotland’s single largest source of renewable energy, and has a capacity of 0.95GW (950 megawatts). This is enough to power about 650,000 homes.
Taken together, these new offshore wind projects approved through ScotWind, could power more than 20 times that.
Groundbreaking announcement on future offshore wind in Scotland. š
This is a huge vote of confidence in Scotlandās renewables market š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ and can be absolutely transformational in clean energy, green jobs and a just transition to net zero. https://t.co/VlwtFi3HLk
ā MĆ iri McAllan (@MairiMcAllan) January 17, 2022
A major step for Scotland’s journey to net zero
Scotland has around 25% of Europe’s entire offshore wind potential, and is fast becoming the center for renewable energy innovation – with the world’s first floating wind farm being installed in Scotland in 2017.
Weāve has already made huge strides in decarbonising Scotlandās energy consumption,Ā with over 95% of Scotlandās gross electricity demandĀ beingĀ met by renewable sources.
This announcement marks a big step on our path to net zero, helping us reach the target of 50% overall energy consumption from renewables by 2030.
Scotland becomes first country in the world to launch commercial scale opportunity for floating offshore wind – worth Ā£700m to Scottish Government and billions more for the supply chain. Almost 100% of Scotland’s electricity is already from renewable sources. #ScotWind #NetZero https://t.co/U1J3IRMtGa
ā Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) January 17, 2022
Transformational investment for the Scottish economy
In addition to the massive environmental benefits, the ScotWind auction generates around Ā£700 million that’s being delivered straight to the Scottish Government.
On top of that, these projects will generate billions of pounds worth of supply chain investment in Scotland – Ā£1 billion of investment for every 1GW of capacity.
It puts Scotland at the forefront of global offshore wind development, and will help position Scotland as a major exporter of renewable energy.
ā»ļø17 protects have been offered rights to parts of Scotlandās seabed to develop offshore wind power.
Itās hoped theyāll secure Ā£1BN in supply chain investment for every 1GW of capacity proposed.@NicolaSturgeon says itās one of the most exciting announcements in her time as FM. pic.twitter.com/sD5mH7ph6Q
ā Alan Zycinski (@AlanJZycinski) January 17, 2022
Thousands of high-quality, green jobs
The developers of the offshore wind projects committed to invest in the Scottish supply chain – which means opportunities for good, green jobs in Scotland for decades to come.
It also means that people currently working in oil and gas sector in the North East of Scotland can be confident of opportunities for their future. We’re committed to ensuring Scotland’s just transition leaves no one behind in our journey to net zero.
The big spread of projects across Scotland, off the east, north-east, northern and western coast, promises economic benefits for communities across the country.
The results of ScotWind have been announced by @CrownEstateScot@ScotGovFM has welcomed the ātruly historicā opportunity for Scotlandās economy.
Billions will be invested in green jobs as part of our transition to net zero.
For more ā”ļø https://t.co/rERdXvp2LH pic.twitter.com/t6Q1uyD3jZ
ā Net Zero Scotland (@ScotGovNetZero) January 17, 2022