Photo by Waldemar Brandt
The Scottish Government has published an updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement, raising its offshore wind ambition to up to 40 GW of new capacity by 2040, in addition to already operational or consented projects. The policy update, published on 28 January 2026, reaffirms Scotland’s commitment to delivering its existing project pipeline at scale whilst establishing a clearer and more realistic delivery timeframe.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin MSP stated: “Offshore wind presents an era-defining opportunity to grow our green economy for the benefit of communities across Scotland, while supporting our energy security and journey towards net zero.”
Policy evolution and consultation response
The update revises the 2020 policy statement, which set a target of 8-11 GW by 2030. Following a summer 2025 consultation that proposed increasing Scotland’s offshore wind ambition to up to 40 GW by 2035-2040, the Scottish Government received 80 responses from individuals and organisations.
Opinion was relatively evenly split, with 40 responses indicating the proposed ambition was appropriate and 38 suggesting it was not. However, organisations were more likely to support the increase, whilst individuals were less supportive.
The final policy establishes a clear and realistic timescale of 2040 rather than the consulted range of 2035-2040, responding to feedback that the earlier formulation created ambiguity. The updated statement also clarifies that no further offshore wind leasing rounds are planned in the near term.
Existing pipeline and global positioning
Since the 2020 policy statement, Scotland has positioned itself at the forefront of offshore wind development globally through its ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds. The country now has a potential project pipeline of over 40 GW – more than a third of the total UK pipeline for projects that have reached the planning stage, representing one of the largest pipelines in the world.
The updated ambition reflects and firmly underlines the government’s commitment to delivering the existing project pipeline at scale, including all ScotWind and INTOG projects.
Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy, published in 2024, recognises offshore wind as a priority opportunity area, where Scotland has globally competitive strengths and potential to deliver transformational economic growth, with particular emphasis on pioneering floating wind technology and integrated energy solutions.
Investment and infrastructure
The Scottish Government is delivering a programme which has unlocked almost £900 million of investment to anchor Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain and develop offshore wind port infrastructure, working to ensure the offshore wind opportunity delivers economic growth, jobs, and revitalises coastal communities.
Supportive consultation responses welcomed the higher ambition as a clear signal of long-term commitment, with potential to attract investment and accelerate sector growth. Some organisational responses noted that offshore wind development would bring opportunities for Scotland’s workforce and strengthen supply chain and infrastructure, with companies requiring a steady pipeline of projects to enable sustained investment, skills development and jobs.
Balancing development with environmental protection
The Scottish Government acknowledges concerns from other marine users about potential impacts of large-scale development on their sectors and the marine environment, maintaining a firm commitment to sustainable, plan-led growth.
The policy clarifies that deployment of the potential pipeline will always be subject to rigorous planning consents and project-level impact assessments. Delivery also depends on the UK Government and its agencies playing their part in ensuring a supportive policy and investment environment, including delivering timely grid connections and upgrades, successful Contracts for Difference allocation rounds, and creating a level playing field for Scottish projects by addressing unfair transmission charges.
Concerns raised in the consultation included impacts on the environment, nature and other marine users, a potential lack of benefit to communities, and the deliverability of the ambition. Some responses questioned whether the proposed ambition was in excess of Scotland’s energy needs and referenced the significant investment required in supply chain and ports to enable this level of deployment.
The updated policy statement positions Scotland to capitalise on its offshore wind resources whilst acknowledging the complexity of delivering large-scale marine renewable energy development in a manner that protects Scotland’s diverse marine environment and supports other marine users.