Onshore wind sector deal
The onshore wind sector deal sets out commitments from the Scottish Government and the onshore wind industry to deliver upon our collective ambition of 20 GW of onshore wind in Scotland by 2030 whilst delivering maximum benefit to Scotland.
Implementation and governance
| When | What | Sector | Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| End 2023 | SG partner agencies to participate in the CWIC initiative | ✓ | |
| Establish working group for standardising EIARs | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Review how the baseline information requirements for EIAs of repowering or life extension can be appropriately optimised | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Complete onshore wind pipeline analysis to 2030 | ✓ | ||
| In cluster areas, cooperate with other developers on interconnected planning and environmental considerations | ✓ | ||
| Highlight the ambitions of the new determination timescales for S36 applications to statutory consultees | ✓ | ||
| Complete national survey on aviation-related issues for wind farms | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Early 2024 | Seek opportunities for clustering O&M facilities | ✓ | |
| Publish statistics on local content in the supply chain and O&M arrangements of projects | ✓ | ||
| Collaborate with CWIC to facilitate publishing and support its commitments | ✓ | ||
| Update guidance on peatland management and restoration | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Establish a central repository mechanism for environmental monitoring data | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Contribute project and monitoring data to the central repository | ✓ | ||
| Issue clear guidance to developers and planners on expectations on environmental protection and enhancement | ✓ | ||
| Publish analysis of expected abnormal load movements to 2030 | ✓ | ||
| Publish survey of existing and emerging wind farm tolerant surveillance systems | ✓ | ||
| Issue consultation on guidance on Eskdalemuir management approach | ✓ | ||
| Proactively help manage the connection queue | ✓ | ||
| Mid 2024 | Establish a working group to examine skills gap to delivering 2030 ambitions and publish a paper setting this out | ✓ | ✓ |
| Publish a strategy paper on supply chain development and business diversification and transition opportunities | ✓ | ||
| Collaborate on a national approach to measuring and evidencing biodiversity enhancements | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Establish working group to examine learnings from Hagshaw cluster | ✓ | ||
| Agree and publish template formats for S36 consents | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Publish proposals to make additional resource/training available for consenting purposes | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Promote the timely discharge of pre-commencement planning conditions for construction-ready projects within six weeks | ✓ | ||
| Develop consistent formats for S36 public inquiry reports and consultation responses | ✓ | ||
| Agree plans to ensure timely and properly resourced process for wind turbine component transportation, based on expected pipeline | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Publish the Aviation Lighting Assessment Guidance | ✓ | ||
| Late 2024 | Enhance the current skills and training provision by collaborating with further and higher education sector | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commit to an appropriate number of apprenticeships, training opportunities and skilled jobs across the sector and related industries | ✓ | ||
| Publish a paper on the role that regulatory stimulus could play in driving increased circularity of materials | ✓ | ||
| Establish collaborative approach to promoting supply chain opportunities to support increased local content | ✓ | ||
| Publish report on learnings from Hagshaw cluster | ✓ | ||
| Establish a standard approach to the financial management of community benefits | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Publish a framework of practical approaches to support and encourage community shared ownership models | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Look for opportunities to take a collaborative approach to co-ordinating community benefits | ✓ | ||
| Use agreed templates for S36 applications and accompanying EIARs | ✓ | ||
| Publish good practice guidance for oversail and overrun situations | ✓ | ||
| Publish vision for onshore wind beyond 2030 | ✓ | ||
| Publish details for a more proactive, transparent and consistent approach to aviation-related issues | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Early 2025 | Aim to determine onshore wind S36 and S36c applications within the timeframes set out | ✓ | |
| Meet annually to examine data on consenting timelines and any actions needed | ✓ | ✓ | |
| By 2030 | Establish a specialised blade treatment facility | ✓ | |
| 20GW of operational onshore wind in Scotland | ✓ | ✓ |
Ongoing governance
Oversight and governance of the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal will be led by the Scottish Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group (SLG).
The SLG will meet once a quarter. It will set the strategic direction for the sector and will be accountable for the overall delivery of the sector deal, including review and approval of the work programme and, if relevant, any budget allocations.
The SLG will initially consist of the existing six theme leads plus the industry representative role and will be co-chaired by Scottish Renewables and the Scottish Government.
The SLG will publicly report at least annually on the progress of initiatives, including the forecast of operational onshore wind to 2030 and beyond, and will answer to the Scottish Government.
Contact
Email: OnshoreWindPolicy@gov.scot
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