ScotWind was the first round of offshore wind leasing round in Scottish waters for a decade. It resulted in 20 projects securing seabed option agreements.
Overview
Rapid Review
The Rapid Review was an evidence-based process undertaken in 2021 to help ensure ScotWind represented a competitive investment opportunity that would result in a strong pipeline of offshore wind projects.
Sequence of events
The application window for registered applicants opened in January 2021 and closed in July 2021.
Following evaluation of the bids, option agreements were offered to the successful parties in January 2022 and confirmed as signed in April 2022.
The ScotWind leasing clearing process opened in April 2022 with Option Agreements being offered in August 2022 and confirmed as signed in November 2022.
Options awarded
Options were awarded to an initial 17 projects following the leasing process.
Full details can be found here.
A further three options were awarded following the completion of the clearing process.
Full details can be found here.
Reports and publications
A range of reports and publications relating to ScotWind are available through our resources page.
Media releases
A number of media releases and news stories were published over the life of the ScotWind project. These are listed below in chronological order:
2018
2019
- ScotWind leasing - update on timescales and next steps
- October planned for Scotland’s offshore wind launch
- Scotland moves closer to new offshore wind leasing
- Next steps for new Scottish offshore wind leasing
- ScotWind leasing Update
2020
- ScotWind leasing: updated statement on supply chain measures
- Crown Estate Scotland statement on ScotWind leasing and COVID-19
- ScotWind leasing: April update
- Green light for multi-billion pound investment in Scotland’s net zero economy
- ScotWind leasing: registration closed, clarifications now published
- Crown Estate Scotland confirms timings for ScotWind leasing
2021
- Crown Estate Scotland completes ScotWind leasing review
- Final technical update for ScotWind leasing applicants
- Closing date for applications to ScotWind
- ScotWind secures major interest in Scotland’s offshore wind potential
2022
- ScotWind offshore wind leasing delivers major boost to Scotland’s net zero aspirations
- Statement on ScotWind leasing process and Russia
- ScotWind Clearing Process Procedural Update
- Statement regarding ScotWind leasing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- 17 ScotWind project agreements confirmed
- ScotWind Clearing process opens
- ScotWind developers set out multi-billion-pound supply chain commitments
- Three Shetland ScotWind projects announced
- Three ScotWind Clearing project agreements confirmed
- New supply chain commitments from developers published
2023
Freedom of Information requests
A number of Freedom of Information requests were made about ScotWind during the project and following its conclusion.
Our responses to these requests can be found on this page.
In February 2022, we published a notice regarding our approach to handling these requests, which you can read here.
Supply chain commitments
Initial supply chain commitments
Details of the initial Supply Chain Development Statements (SCDS) for each of the 20 successful projects can be accessed using the list below:
Supply chain commitments - 2023 update
Details of the updated Supply Chain Development Statements (SCDS) made by the successful projects during 2023 can be accessed using the list below:
What was ScotWind?
The ScotWind leasing process enabled developers to apply for seabed rights to plan and then build windfarms in Scottish waters.
Almost 30GW of new generating capacity will be built over the next decade as a result.
The term 'ScotWind’ is now used to refer to the leasing process that we carried out plus the projects that developers are progressing.
What are the benefits of ScotWind?
To prevent the most harmful climate change scenarios from coming true, we need to substantially reduce our carbon emissions.
Scotland’s target is to reach net zero emissions by 2045 – and if developers can generate almost 30GW of new, clean energy from ScotWind projects, it will make a big contribution to reaching that target.
Wind farm projects also offer opportunities for business: their construction, operation and maintenance could bring billions of pounds in investment and new jobs to Scotland.
As well as stimulating supply chain investment, creating jobs and producing lots of green energy, ScotWind developers pay Crown Estate Scotland for use of the seabed. In turn, we pass profits to Scottish Government for spending on services across Scotland.