Press Release
PROCEDURE FOR OFFSHORE WINDFARM DEVELOPMENT WITHIN SCOTTISH TERRITORIAL WATERS ANNOUNCED
21 May 2008
The Crown Estate has today, at the All Energy Conference in Aberdeen, announced the procedure for offshore windfarm development within Scottish territorial waters. The announcement comes after discussions with the Scottish government on how to take forward further development of the offshore wind energy industry in Scotland, and requests from windfarm developers to present offshore windfarm proposals to us in order to get consent.
The Crown Estate is asking for initial expressions of interest from companies wishing to be considered for developing commercial scale (i.e. installed capacity of 100 MW or more), windfarms within Scottish territorial waters. This call for applications offers significant potential to enhance the offshore wind energy industry’s growth in Scotland.
Companies or consortia wishing to be considered must submit registration details electronically by 12:00 noon on 23 June 2008.
Following this registered companies and consortia will be invited to submit project proposals for consideration and given three months to prepare and submit such proposals. Further calls for interest will be considered in the future should the need arise.
Rob Hastings, Director of Marine Estates at The Crown Estate, said: “This announcement to launch Scottish offshore wind clearly demonstrates The Crown Estate’s commitment to facilitating the next phase of offshore wind energy development in Scotland. We have listened to the requests from developers in the industry and are delighted to be working closely with the Scottish government in taking this forward.”
Speaking at the conference, Jim Mather, Minister for Energy, said: “Offshore wind can play a vital role in Scotland’s renewable future. We want to see more offshore turbines in appropriate locations around the Scottish coast, meaning that licenses for individual sites is a key issue. This is an area where we have been working closely with The Crown Estate. So I am delighted about this very positive announcement on offshore leasing.”
Jason Ormiston, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said: “Offshore wind in Scottish waters - whether it is in deep or shallow water - offers exceptional potential to help deliver action on climate change and help secure affordable supplies of electricity, and the industry is keen to see government and The Crown Estate help deliver it as quickly as possible. We are pleased The Crown Estate is now providing some certainty for developers who are keen to invest hundreds of millions of pounds if they can get the rights to develop.”
Further Information
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