SOWEC Skills group seeks next generation of talent at careers fairs
SOWEC’s Skills group provides insights into the paths available in Scotland’s offshore wind sector at recent university careers fairs
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s Green Industrial Strategy (GIS), which places Scotland at the forefront of the net zero economy, including strategic action to secure growth and investment.
Delivered as part of the Programme for Government, the GIS sets out five priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated:
- maximising Scotland’s wind economy
- growing the hydrogen sector
- developing the carbon capture, utilisation and storage sector
- supporting green economy professional and financial services
- attracting clean energy intensive industries such as datacentres
A range of specific actions include hosting a Global Offshore Wind Investment Forum next spring, working with the sector to develop hubs of hydrogen production, and working with public and private partners to drive investment in key projects.
Within the strategy, offshore wind is emphasised as a key opportunity for the development of Scotland’s green economy and highlights a current potential pipeline of over 40GW of projects. This will significantly contribute to the achievement of the Scottish Government’s net zero ambitions of up to 11GW of offshore wind by 2030, while also serving to establish Scotland as a world-class offshore wind sector and driving the transformation to the green economy.
SOWEC welcomes its central role as a vital platform for engagement between industry and public sector. Working in collaboration with key industry partners, SOWEC will continue to coordinate and grow offshore wind development in Scotland in line with the commitments laid out in the strategy.
The GIS also outlines a number of actions that the Scottish Government will take to deliver targeted economic growth required to unlock the potential of the five priority areas identified.
Two key actions include:
- Improvement of the marine planning framework by publishing an updated offshore wind policy statement in 2025/26
- Commissioning £3.2 million of research via Scottish Marine Energy Research (SCOTmer) to reduce uncertainty in the planning and consenting process
Read the full strategy here.
Brian MacFarlane, SOWEC co-chair
Related Articles
SOWEC welcomes the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce 2050 vision
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council welcomes the new report highlighting the potential for UK floating offshore wind to become a global success
Seaway7’s Lloyd Duthie appointed as head of Supply Chain and Clusters sub-group
"My priority is to unify the current supply chain clusters into a single, focussed cluster to help the Scottish offshore wind supply chain."
New marine report recommends ‘nature-inclusive design’ for offshore wind projects in Scotland
SOWEC members will be able to draw on this informed approach to integrate a nature-inclusive design process into offshore wind planning and policy.
Technology accelerator programme opens for Scottish companies targeting offshore wind success
Applications are now open for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s award-winning Launch Academy
Sumitomo Electric cable factory ground breaking ceremony
Sumitomo Electric kick starts construction on its £350m cable factory with a traditional Japanese ceremony
Haventus secures £100 million credit facility from Scottish National Investment Bank and UK Infrastructure Bank
Ardersier Port secures £100 million credit facility from SNIB and UKIB
Green Volt, largest commercial floating wind farm, receives planning consent
Flotation Energy and Vargonn secure planning consent for their Green Volt INTOG leasing round project
UK Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan published
The Industrial Growth Plan sets out how to triple offshore wind manufacturing capacity over the next ten years, firmly establishing the UK as a leader in a surging global market.
HD Hyundai signs floating wind MOU with Scotland
World's largest shipbuilder, HD Hyundai, signs Memo of Understanding with two of Scotland's Enterprise Agencies on component manufacturing for floating wind.