Crown Estate Scotland releases new proposals to lease seabed

Crown Estate Scotland has announced new draft proposals to lease seabed as part of efforts to stimulate the renewables sector north of the border.

The body, which manages natural assets in Scotland, said the proposals were aimed at providing certainty to investors in an attempt to support supply chain development, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Roseanna Cunningham said: “The potential benefits of offshore renewable energy to Scotland are enormous. That is why it is important that Crown Estate Scotland makes available the right seabed locations at the right time, in order to contribute to delivery of our energy strategy, attract inward investment, develop new technology and continue to drive down the associated costs of offshore energy.”

The paper outlines a provisional design for a complete leasing package, with Crown Estate Scotland calling for stakeholders to provide feedback to help shape the final approach. The final leasing process is expected to be launched by late 2018 or early 2019.

Claire Perry MP, UK Government Energy Minister, said: “Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are generating more clean energy than ever before with an impressive 15 per cent of UK electricity coming from wind last year – up from less than three per cent in 2010. As technology costs come down, this will enable renewables to flourish. The opening up of more seabed areas for new offshore wind projects is another step towards achieving our low cost, low carbon future.”

Crown Estate Scotland manages 37,000 hectares of rural land, the rights to fish wild salmon and sea trout in in river and coastal areas, just under half the foreshore around Scotland including 5,800 moorings and some ports and harbours.

It also controls leasing of almost all seabed out to 12 nautical miles and the rights to offshore renewable energy and gas and carbon dioxide storage out to 200 nautical miles.

Fabrice Leveque, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: "The offshore wind projects which are currently being developed in Scotland are already providing enormous economic benefits to our country. The Beatrice scheme in the Moray Firth, for example, will deliver up to £1.2 billion into the UK and Scottish economy via employment and supply chain opportunities during its lifetime.

"Crown Estate Scotland’s proposals set the tone for the future of this vibrant sector. New sites would allow us to capture more of our offshore wind resource and enable Scotland’s burgeoning offshore wind supply chain to gear up and grow, delivering jobs and investment not just on our coasts, but across the country."