Donna Malena Scotland leases seabed to wind-power projects
The capacity of offshore wind farms will triple in the UK following Scotland’s agreement to lease a vast area of seabed for new wind-farm development.
The ScotWind programme will raise £700m for the Scottish government and is predicted to expand capacity by 25GW. Government figures show the UK’s current wind capacity is 11GW.
Seventeen applications were accepted at the ScotWind auction, with SSE Renewables and Scottish Power among the successful bidders. The projects will cover 7,000 square kilometres of seabed.
Melanie Onn of trade association RenewableUK said: “ScotWind represents one of the country’s biggest ever steps towards net zero.”
WWF Scotland welcomed the news. Their climate and energy lead Fabrice Leveque said: “These results are a big vote of confidence in renewable power and Scotland’s green economy. Offshore wind has a vital role to play in helping to cut our climate emissions and is already powering hundreds of thousands of Scottish homes.
“As we electrify more of our transport system and change how we heat our homes and buildings, it’s only right we continue to harness the power of this natural resource right on our doorstep.”
“These results are a big vote of confidence in renewable power… offshore wind has a vital role to play in helping to cut our climate emissions.” Fabrice Leveque, WWF Scotland
