New rules set out by the Scottish Government will impose strict supply chain commitments on developers looking to build giant offshore wind farm off the coast of Scotland.
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay announced today, following a Offshore Wind Supply Chain Summit in Edinburgh, that all developers will have to agree on supply-chain commitments when applying for offshore wind leases, under an agreement between the Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland.
The meeting included representatives from the Scottish And UK Government, trades unions, and offshore industry to discuss how to discuss solutions to issues facing the offshore wind supply chain.
Firms such as Equinor, Vattenfall, SSE Renewables, Saipem Red Rock Power and ScottishPower Renewables were all at the meeting.
Mr Mackay said: “Scotland is the ideal location for offshore wind, but recent projects have not delivered the significant economic opportunities we want to see for Scottish businesses.
“The Scottish Government has been calling for the offshore sector to do more by awarding contracts to our indigenous supply chain but recent disappointments suggest that more has to be done.
“I will use every lever at our disposal to ensure that our renewables supply chain benefits from the expansion of offshore wind in our waters, leading to the creation and retention of Scottish jobs.
“The measures agreed with Crown Estate Scotland will help to release more of those economic benefits for the Scottish economy and ensure that the Scottish-based supply chain is considered when tendering for work or making long-term conditions.”
Unite, STUC and GMB unions, who last night called for the Scottish Government to end the “scandal” on offshore wind jobs, were also in attendance.
Gary Smith, GMB Scotland secretary, said after the meeting:We welcome these long overdue measures announced today by the Scottish Government in taking a harder line with the industry – but this must be the start of change and not the end.
“The truth is it’s been a decade of failure for job creation in Scotland’s offshore wind sector.
Colin Palmer, director of marine for Crown Estate Scotland, said: “Scotland has unique potential when it comes to offshore wind and we’re committed to doing all we can to unlock that opportunity.
“ScotWind Leasing will present Scotland as an attractive destination for the significant investment needed to deliver the scale of offshore wind projects we want to see.”
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