SOWEC response to UK Autumn Statement

SOWEC today responded to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, highlighting the importance of Scottish offshore wind projects to the UK economy and successul energy transition.

Brian McFarlane, Industry Co-Chair of SOWEC commented:

"Offshore wind is a growing and important industry both here in Scotland and across the UK as a whole. The ScotWind pipeline alone has the potential to deliver almost £30bn into the Scottish economy. But to secure this we need grid connections, infrastructure development and support for our ports.

"Details of how new announcements will be delivered are needed, but today's Autumn Statement shows that the UK Government is committed to addressing these challenges. The commitment to accelerate the build out of grid infrastructure is time critical. Without this we cannot connect Scotland’s offshore wind pipeline to the GB National Grid so projects cannot move forward.

“The announcement of a £960m Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support clean energy manufacturing will help the UK and Scotland stay ahead of global competition and capitalise on the contracts flowing from our offshore wind projects.

“Finally the decision to extend tax relief on green ports & freeports from five to ten years is very welcome. It will help Scottish ports and the offshore wind companies looking to use them across the next ten years better plan for their use.”

Editors Notes

• The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) is a collaboration between the Scottish public sector and the offshore wind industry. SOWEC has a clear vision and goals which is focused on growing the sector, ensuring the Scottish offshore wind industry is more sustainable, competitive, and commercially-attractive, both domestically and in the global offshore wind market.
• SOWEC’s mission is to coordinate and grow the sector, ensuring the Scottish offshore wind industry is more sustainable, competitive, and commercially-attractive, both domestically and in the global offshore wind market.

To follow up on this press release please contact Maf Smith, Lumen Energy & Environment, maf.smith@lumenee.cc / 07768 531501

https://www.offshorewindscotland.org.uk/the-scottish-offshore-wind-industry/sowec/sim/