Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy
Overview
Sectoral Marine Planning provides a framework for the sustainable development of offshore wind energy in Scotland’s marine environment. The draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE) sets out an integrated planning framework for both the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds alongside consideration of additional capacity for test and demonstration (T&D) projects.
It has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and sets out the opportunities as well as the constraints of developing offshore wind in Scottish waters. It provides clarity, certainty and confidence to ensure development is sustainable, responsible and balances the needs of communities, nature and other users of the sea.
Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Consultation questions preview
The consultation questions are included here for your reference. Please click 'Begin consultation' at the bottom of this page to proceed.
1. Do you agree that up to 1 Gigawatt (GW) of Test and Demonstration projects should be included within the scope of the updated Plan? Please provide any comments you have on their inclusion or proposed parameters.
2. Do you have any comments on how the benefits of offshore wind development could be maximised? If referring to development within a certain region, please specify.
3. Do you have any comments on how social impacts could be mitigated?
4. Do you have any comments on how economic impacts could be mitigated?
5. Do you have any comments on how environmental impacts could be mitigated?
6. Do you think the monitoring of environmental impacts of the draft Plan should be overseen by existing expert groups, or should a new expert advisory group be established for this purpose?
7. Do you have any comments on the proposed changes to the SMP-OWE governance structure?
8. Do you have any suggestions for how evidence should be shared and/or fed into strategic research programmes?
9. Do you agree with the approach proposed to remove the iterative plan review process and replace it with the stated evidence and future planning proposals?
10. If you have any further comments or points that you think should be taken into account in the plan, please provide those below.
11. A policy review has identified that no aspects of the draft plan will impact on children's rights, as outlined briefly in Annex C. Do you agree with these findings? If you have identified any impacts on children's rights and/or wellbeing, please explain.
12. Do you have any comments on the partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment?
13. Do you have any comments on the partial Island Communities Impact Assessment?
14. Do you have any comments on the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report?
15. Do you have any comments on the Habitats Regulations Appraisal Appropriate Assessment Information Report?
16. Do you have any comments on the Social and Economic Impact Assessment?
17. Do you have any comments on the Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment?
18. Do you have any comments on the Sustainability Appraisal report?
19. Do you have any comments on the Regional Locational Guidance?
Useful information about responding to this consultation
As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return to the consultation at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the consultation midway through, your response will be lost.
Once you have submitted your response, you can enter your email address to get a pdf copy of your answers sent to you.
On the 'About You' page at the end of this consultation, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.
After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because we must check any responses to be published abide by our Terms of Use.
An analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted. It will be published on the Scottish Government website and you may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address with us. You can also join our consulation mailing list where we regularly list newly published analysis reports (as well as new consultations).
Why your views matter
Through this public consultation, the Scottish Government is seeking views on the SMP-OWE and its supporting plan level environmental and socio-economic assessments:
- Strategic Environmental Report (SEA);
- Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA);
- Habitats Regulation Appraisal (Appropriate Assessment Information Report);
- Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment (NCMPA);
- Sustainability Appraisal Report (SA);
- partial Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA);
- partial Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA);
- Regional Locational Guidance (RLG);
The development of offshore wind in Scotland presents a complex landscape of choices and trade-offs that must be carefully navigated. That is why engagement is an essential part of developing the Plan.
Through this consultation your thoughts and experience will help shape the Plan to inform future decision making and ensure the sustainable development of offshore wind in Scottish waters.
In addition to this online consultation, a series of events are being held both in-person, across Scotland, and hosted online. These events will offer the opportunity to speak directly with officials. The event schedule is detailed under the "Events" tab below. There is no need to register beforehand for in-person events.
Give us your views
Events
-
Inverness - Engagement Event
From 9 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 9 Jun 2025 at 21:00Best Western Palace Hotel
8 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5NG
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Thurso - Engagement Event
From 10 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 10 Jun 2025 at 21:00Pentland Hotel
Princes St, Thurso KW14 7AA
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Kirkwall, Orkney - Engagement Event
From 11 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 11 Jun 2025 at 21:00Kirkwall & St Ola Community Centre
Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1DH
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Online Event - 11 June
From 11 Jun 2025 at 14:00 to 11 Jun 2025 at 16:00Online Event - registration available at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ac2aa270-a027-44f7-9703-80c85155f679@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840
Officials will provide an overview of the sectoral marine planning process, and the key findings of each of the plan-level assessments, including the:
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment
Habitats Regulations Appraisal Appropriate Assessment Information Report
Social and Economic Impact Assessment
Island Communities Impact Assessment
We will be supported by the contractors responsible for undertaking the technical aspects of the assessment work. There will be time for questions on each assessment. -
Carloway, Isle of Lewis - Engagement Event
From 17 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 17 Jun 2025 at 21:00Carloway Community Centre
Knock, Isle of Lewis HS2 9AU
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Ullapool - Engagement Event
From 18 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 18 Jun 2025 at 21:00Caledonian Hotel
Quay St, Ullapool IV26 2UG
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Kinlochbervie - Engagement Event
From 19 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 19 Jun 2025 at 21:00Kinlochbervie Village Hall & Community Centre
Manse Rd, Kinlochbervie, Lairg IV27 4RG
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Edinburgh - Engagement Event
From 23 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 23 Jun 2025 at 21:00voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG
18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AQ
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Aberdeen - Engagement Event
From 24 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 24 Jun 2025 at 21:00Station Hotel
78 Guild St, Aberdeen AB11 6GN
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Peterhead - Engagement Event
From 25 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 25 Jun 2025 at 21:00Rescue Hall
25 Prince St, Peterhead AB42 1QE
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Buckie - Engagement Event
From 26 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 26 Jun 2025 at 21:00The Fisherman's Hall
16 N Pringle St, Buckie AB56 1HT
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Pittenweem - Engagement Event
From 30 Jun 2025 at 12:00 to 30 Jun 2025 at 21:00Pittenweem New Town Hall
Session Street, Pittenweem, Anstruther KY10 2QL
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Islay - Engagement Event
From 1 Jul 2025 at 12:00 to 1 Jul 2025 at 21:00Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Gaelic Centre)
Gartnatra, Isle of Islay PA43 7LN
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Dundee - Engagement Event
From 3 Jul 2025 at 12:00 to 3 Jul 2025 at 21:00Best Western Queens Hotel, Dundee
160 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4DU
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Oban - Engagement Event
From 7 Jul 2025 at 12:00 to 7 Jul 2025 at 21:00Corran Halls, Studio Theatre
54 Corran Esplanade, Oban PA34 5AB
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Stornoway, Lewis - Engagement Event
From 10 Jul 2025 at 12:00 to 10 Jul 2025 at 21:00Caladh Inn
Isle of Lewis, 11 James St, Stornoway HS1 2QN
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Online Event - 16 July
From 16 Jul 2025 at 18:00 to 16 Jul 2025 at 20:00Online Event - registration available at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d9e60cb1-e96d-4f19-ac49-14c2ea625d8f@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840
Officials will provide an overview of the sectoral marine planning process, and the key findings of each of the plan-level assessments, including the:
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment
Habitats Regulations Appraisal Appropriate Assessment Information Report
Social and Economic Impact Assessment
Island Communities Impact Assessment
We will be supported by the contractors responsible for undertaking the technical aspects of the assessment work. There will be time for questions on each assessment. -
Lerwick, Shetland - Engagement Event
From 17 Jul 2025 at 12:00 to 17 Jul 2025 at 21:00Lerwick Town Hall
Hillhead, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0HB
An in-person event, where members of the public are invited to drop-in and receive support with completion of consultation responses or ask questions related to the consultation between 12:00 - 18:00.
A formal presentation of findings will start at 18:00, followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards. -
Online Event - 11 August
From 11 Aug 2025 at 14:00 to 11 Aug 2025 at 16:00Online Event - registration available at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5c6c7ac2-2c40-4eb6-808b-4a13008ba724@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840
Officials will provide an overview of the sectoral marine planning process, and the key findings of each of the plan-level assessments, including the:
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment
Habitats Regulations Appraisal Appropriate Assessment Information Report
Social and Economic Impact Assessment
Island Communities Impact Assessment
We will be supported by the contractors responsible for undertaking the technical aspects of the assessment work. There will be time for questions on each assessment.
Interests
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Marine and Fisheries
- Main hub
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook