Plans to lease seabed to encourage a new generation of offshore wind farms in Scotland’s waters have been unveiled by Crown Estate Scotland. The estate said the work was necessary to ensure that new projects are being built from the late 2020s onwards. Any money that it raises from offshore renewables will be passed to the Scottish government for public spending. Industry leaders said the move could boost the Scottish economy. Two offshore wind farms – Robin Rigg and Hywind Scotland – are already operating in Scottish waters. A further two are being built – the Beatrice project in the Moray Firth and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, off Aberdeen. As it can take up to 10 years to develop and construct a new offshore wind project, Crown Estate Scotland said work needs to start now to ensure new wind farms can get under way in the 2020s. It has published a paper outlining a draft leasing process and asking for feedback to help shape the final approach. The public body said it aims to support innovation, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
BBC 21st May 2018 read more »
Times 21st May 2018 read more »