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Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council

The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) is a partnership between the Scottish public sector and the offshore wind industry, co-chaired by Stephen Gethins, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy, and Clare Lavelle of Buchan Offshore Wind.

Gillian Martin MSP, (Acting Minister for Climate Action), speaking at All Energy Conference, Glasgow 11 May 2023” credit: All Energy 2023

Offshore wind ambition

Vision

A world-class offshore wind sector that underpins the transition to net zero by 2045 and maximises the value to Scotland.

Mission

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.

SOWEC Goals

  • Deliver 40GW of fixed and floating offshore wind in Scottish waters by 2040.

  • Establish Scotland as a world-class offshore wind sector at the leading edge of technology innovation, driving excellence in efficiency, productivity, safety, and sustainability.

  • Support a transformational and rapid increase in economic value, delivering a world-class supply chain in Scotland.

  • Develop a highly skilled and diverse workforce, support new entrants, expand apprenticeships and enable transitioning from existing sectors whilst inspiring the future talent pipeline and increasing participation by currently underrepresented groups.

  • Champion floating and fixed offshore wind’s contribution to achieving Scotland’s net-zero commitment by 2045, incorporating the oil and gas transition, hydrogen and wider energy system integration.

  • Overcome barriers to the deployment of offshore wind in Scottish 
    waters, working with stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of key 
    enabling infrastructure to achieve 2030 and 2045 commitments, 
    that will contribute to a just transition.

  • Promote collaboration with relevant stakeholders which aims to 
    ensure offshore wind infrastructure deployment has a positive net 
    gain to biodiversity in Scotland and the marine environment.

Scottish offshore wind industry diagram

SOWEC Groups

SOWEC’s work is informed and undertaken by a number of groups, delivering workplans focused on priority themes to drive progression and growth in Scotland offshore wind sector:

  • Developers Group

  • Supply Chain Development

  • Innovation

  • Workforce, Skills and Training

  • Environment and Planning, Data and Route to Market

  • Communities and Stakeholders

  • Industrial Strategies and Investment

SOWEC Publications

SOWEC Publications

SOWEC produces and commissions a range of reports and publications.

SOWEC Publications

Scottish offshore wind industry diagram

Scotland’s Offshore Wind Sector

Offshore wind generated more than £4 billion in economic activity and provided over 10,000 jobs in Scotland in 2022. Scottish wind projects deliver 48% of the UK’s operational capacity of 30 GW – with 9.5GW from onshore and 5GW from offshore.

The SOWEC Offshore Wind Developer Milestone Map aims to track real-time data from the robust pipeline of offshore wind projects in Scotland at each stage in their development. By mapping out key milestones and ongoing activity, it provides valuable insight for the supply chain.

The Milestone Map

I am determined to make the most of Scotland’s remarkable energy potential, with industry reports estimating offshore wind could support up to 49,000 jobs in Scotland. That is why it is at the centre of both our energy and economic ambitions.

Stephen Gethins MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy of Scotland, Scottish Government

The offshore wind sector in Scotland

Find out more about the offshore wind sector and what's happening across Scotland.

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