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The Scottish Government has announced a significant increase in its offshore wind targets, aiming to reach up to 40 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2040. This revised ambition replaces the previous goal of 8–11 GW by 2030 and reflects the substantial private sector interest generated by the ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds.
The 40GW target is estimated to be sufficient to provide power for the equivalent of 45 million homes annually.
To support this expansion, the Scottish Government has allocated £1.8 million to Stornoway Port. The funding is earmarked for the initial ground investigation and design phase of the "Deep Water South" project. This development aims to transform the Outer Hebrides into a central hub for future offshore wind developments, fostering long-term skilled employment and strengthening the local supply chain.
Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, stated: "Offshore wind represents a huge economic opportunity for the whole of Scotland delivering jobs and attracting major investment across the country. Stornoway's location, skills and existing port infrastructure make it vital to supporting the delivery of some of the enormous economic opportunities presented by our growing offshore wind industry."
She added that the updated 40GW target reaffirms the government's commitment to the sector, providing increased certainty for international investors.
The Chief Executive of Stornoway Port, Alex Macleod, welcomed the investment as a "hugely significant step forward" for the islands. He noted that the support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) would allow the port to move toward detailed design and enabling works with momentum.
"Deep Water South is about unlocking the next phase of opportunity, supporting offshore wind, strengthening renewable energy infrastructure and ensuring Stornoway is ready to play a leading role in Scotland's energy transition," Mr Macleod said.
The project is designed to ensure the port has the necessary infrastructure to meet the technical demands of the next generation of floating offshore wind farms.
