ScottishPower and Shell, two successful ScotWind partners, have announced a multi-million pound commitment to help Scotland’s offshore wind industry flourish.
For their two floating ScotWind projects, the 3GW MarramWind and the 2GW CampionWind, the pair will provide £50 million (€60 million) in supply chain stimulus funds.
ScottishPower has budgeted an additional £25 million to support its fixed 2GW ScotWind project MachairWind.
Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind Leasing gave ScottishPower and Shell the seabed rights to develop two new floating wind projects at the start of the year:
ScottishPower has also been granted seabed rights for a fixed foundation project off the coast of Islay.
The projects have the potential to generate enough clean energy to power nearly 8.5 million homes, more than three times Scotland’s population.
The funding will be used to help Scotland develop new offshore wind capacity that would not otherwise be possible.
Mandy Gloyer, ScottishPower Renewables’ new UK offshore sites manager, said: “These funds will open up huge opportunities for the supply chain in Scotland as we gear up to lead the development of commercial-scale floating wind and kick start a new global green offshore industry.”
“We look forward to working with government, partners, industry and the supply chain to shape the funds and maximise their impact on the Scottish economy, with jobs and investment for local people and businesses across the country.”
“This is a really exciting time and a great chance for companies to get involved in delivering a clean energy future.”
Melissa Read, Shell UK’s offshore wind business manager, said: “These funds are in addition to direct project investment in supply chain facilities and will directly support the Scottish supply chain.
“This includes businesses keen to make the transition to the renewables sector through investment in infrastructure, facilities that will manufacture and service offshore wind projects and support for companies to innovate and upskill.”
The funds will accept applications later this year. All three projects currently have online supplier chain registration portals.
