The Scottish Government has initiated a public consultation on its updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE), inviting views on how offshore wind projects will be developed in Scottish waters.

The draft plan, published on May 30, 2025, seeks to ensure a sustainable approach that carefully balances the needs of nature, coastal communities, and other users of the sea.

This updated SMP-OWE will serve as a crucial framework for informing the delivery of offshore wind projects stemming from both the ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) seabed leasing rounds.

Key proposals within the plan aim to:

• Utilise cutting-edge data and scientific evidence to inform decisions, particularly regarding the potential impacts of energy developments on wildlife and nature.

• Clearly outline environmental, social, and economic opportunities and constraints associated with offshore projects to aid decision-making processes.

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• Ensure the interests and views of diverse marine users, including fishers, coastal and island communities, and environmental groups, are thoroughly considered.

Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin emphasised the significance of the consultation: "Growing Scotland's offshore wind sector presents enormous economic opportunities for our country, with the chance to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs while accelerating our journey to net zero. Our updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy sets out the opportunities as well as the constraints to developing offshore wind in Scottish waters."

She added that the plan "seeks to provide clarity, certainty and confidence to investors and other marine users, to ensure development is sustainable and balances the needs of communities, nature and other users of the sea, to deliver for the people of Scotland and nature. It is important that everyone with an interest has their say and the Scottish Government will continue to engage closely with the fishing industry, island and coastal communities and other sectors throughout the consultation."

Mike Spain, Director of Marine at Crown Estate Scotland, welcomed the publication of the draft plan, encouraging all interested parties to engage with the consultation. He highlighted Crown Estate Scotland's role in conducting the successful ScotWind and INTOG offshore wind leasing rounds and their partnership with the sector to maximise value for Scotland.

The consultation period for the draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy runs until August 22, 2025.