Scotland advances offshore collaborative framework – reNEWS

The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) has published a set of draft principles that it aims to underpin a new collaborative framework for Scotlands offshore wind sector.

SOWEC, which is a partnership between the Scottish public sector and the offshore wind industry, will now seek feedback on the draft principles through engagement with Scottish ports and the wider supply chain.

The principles set out how companies are expected to work together, and practical steps such as sharing data and communication that can lead to better outcomes.

The 17 principles include priority infrastructure investment for the framework should be floating platform fabrication and manufacture and using the collaborative framework for wider engagement between project developers and port providers.

When ScotWind results are announced on 17 January, developers with option agreements will be asked to join work to move the collaborative framework forward, importantly, adding a level of detail which will set out clear and measurable objectives to the framework and the principles as needed.

SOWEC industry co-chair Brian McFarlane said: The offshore wind industry is an expert in working in partnership in the delivery of projects, and we are now working to apply this expertise to supporting supply chain and ports growth.

ScotWind is a once in a generation opportunity, so it is vital that industry works together to support Scottish ports create a world class cluster that can underpin successful delivery of projects between now and the early 2030s.

Scottish Business Minister Ivan McKee said: As part of ScotWind, developers were asked to clarify their level of commitment to engage and work with the supply chain here in Scotland.

The principles being published today are a clear way to support these commitments, helping forge an effective partnership to deliver on the exciting potential that offshore wind presents in the coming years.

Scotland has world class engineering and energy expertise, and I am pleased to see Scottish ports being engaged in this partnership.

I am grateful to industry members of SOWEC for their work in taking forward the recommendations of the Strategic Investment Assessment, and look forward to working with them to agree next steps after ScotWind lease options are announced.

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Scotland advances offshore collaborative framework - reNEWS