Scottish Government Consults on Updated Draft Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Developments

The Scottish government has recently launched a public consultation on the updated draft marine plan that will shape offshore wind developments in Scotland. The consultation, which will run until August 22, 2025, focuses on the draft of the updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE). This plan is designed to strike a balance between the needs of nature, communities, and other users of the sea.

ABPmer, a marine consultancy and survey company, has been commissioned by the Scottish government’s Offshore Wind Directorate to support the development of the SMP-OWE. ABPmer will lead the delivery of plan-level environmental and socio-economic assessments, building on their previous work supporting the 2020 SMP-OWE.

The SMP-OWE provides an integrated planning framework for the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds, as well as additional capacity for test and demonstration (T&D) projects. The proposals in the plan aim to utilize the latest data and scientific evidence to inform decisions on offshore energy developments. This includes assessing the impact of projects on wildlife and nature, outlining environmental, social, and economic opportunities and constraints, and taking into account the interests and views of other marine users such as fishers, coastal communities, and environmental groups.

Heidi Roberts, ABPmer Project Director, expressed delight in the partnership with the Scottish government on the SMP-OWE, emphasizing their role as thought leaders and specialists in marine planning. Roberts highlighted their contribution to Scotland’s offshore wind development and the importance of accelerating progress towards net zero emissions.

Following the public consultation, transparent analysis of responses will be conducted to understand the perspectives of individuals and organizations. This feedback will inform the finalization of the updated SMP-OWE, ensuring that the plan reflects the diverse interests and considerations of stakeholders involved in offshore wind developments in Scotland.