Warning over energy blueprint impact

Tens of billions of pounds of investment in Scotland’s offshore wind sector could be threatened by a new energy blueprint, industry leaders have warned.

Business groups and trade unions have written to the Government to voice concerns over the potential impact of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) on floating offshore wind projects.

The letter warns that choosing the wrong direction would “put a substantial part of Scotland’s offshore wind opportunity at risk”, with projects potentially “delayed, scaled back or face a much harder route to construction”.

“That would send a negative and unwelcome signal to developers, manufacturers, ports and investors that the UK government sees a much diminished role for Scottish offshore wind in Britain’s future energy system,” said the letter.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Floating offshore wind is key to harnessing more of our natural clean energy resources.

“We are working with the National Energy System Operator on delivering the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will set out a strategy for how new infrastructure should be spread across the country and create growth in every postcode.”