THE £150 million pledged for offshore wind in the Scottish Budget will create a “sustainable supply chain” to benefit Scotland for years to come, a minister has said.
Acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said the sum set out by Shona Robison in her Budget speech last week represents the second year of a £500m commitment to offshore wind.
It is hoped this will lead to private investment of up to £1.5 billion in areas like ports, manufacturing and assembly work.
The government also pledged to set up a hub in the north-east to engage with the offshore industry.
Some in the industry have raised concerns about the length of the planning and consenting process for offshore wind.
The proposed Berwick Bank Wind Farm off the coast of East Lothian, which could have up to 307 turbines to generate 4.1 gigawatts, has been awaiting a decision for two years.
Martin said: “Accelerating Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities presents enormous economic opportunities for our country.
“Our vast resources provide us with significant opportunity to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland while accelerating our journey to net zero.
“We must maximise the economic benefits from offshore wind deployment if we are to ensure a just transition that takes our existing skilled workforce and supply chain with us.
“This significant investment will help boost innovation and expertise in the sector, create a highly productive and competitive economy and deliver a sustainable supply chain that will benefit all of Scotland for decades to come.
“We will work with industry and public sector partners to ensure we identify and deliver the best projects at pace.”
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is pleased that the Scottish Government will increase the next tranche of its funding commitment to the offshore wind supply chain.
“It is also encouraging to see the revenues from ScotWind directly utilised for clean industrial growth.”
