Is Scotland about to blow its chance to be a world-leader in floating offshore wind? – David Hinshelwood

ScotWind opened the door to 20 offshore wind projects, 13 of them floating, with early commitments to spend £28.8 billion with Scottish suppliers and businesses. Behind those figures are jobs, contracts, port upgrades, new skills, and long-term value for communities.

Few countries start from a stronger position. We have some of the world's best offshore wind resources, decades of offshore expertise, skilled workers, innovative businesses, and ports ready to play a central role in a new industry.

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In need of a green light

We also have projects ready to go. Muir Mhòr is one of them. Located 63 kilometres off the Aberdeenshire coast, it’s on track to become one of the world's first commercial-scale, floating offshore wind projects. Once operational, it could generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of up to 1.2 million homes.

The project has secured consent for its onshore infrastructure. Around £18.4 million has already been awarded in development-related contracts, including £7.96m with Scottish suppliers. But Muir Mhòr is still awaiting a decision on its offshore consent. We’ve done the work. Now we need the green light.

Other major offshore wind projects are reaching the same stage, and that’s where the conversation now needs to focus. Floating offshore wind is about far more than renewable electricity. It’s about the sustainable economic growth that John Swinney has put at the heart of his government.

It’s about attracting investment, creating opportunities for Scottish businesses, and giving ports, harbours, and coastal communities a stake in a new global industry.

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Years of talk about potential

The prize is not simply cleaner power. It’s fabrication yards busy with work, vessels operating from Scottish harbours, and engineers, technicians, and environmental specialists building expertise that can be exported worldwide.

We are already competing with countries across Europe, North America, and Asia that are investing heavily in the same opportunity. Scotland can lead, but it’s not guaranteed.

For years, ministers have spoken about offshore wind’s potential. Now we are reaching the point where that potential must be delivered.

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If Scotland wants to unlock the jobs, investment, and supply chain opportunities associated with offshore wind, projects that have completed the process need timely decisions to move forward.

Both the UK and Scottish governments have been clear about the role offshore wind can play in delivering economic growth, energy security, and clean power. We agree with those ambitions. But ambition alone will not deliver them.

This is not about cutting corners. Major infrastructure projects should be scrutinised properly, communities deserve to be heard, and environmental considerations must be taken seriously.

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But after the scrutiny must come decisions. Without them, the risk is not simply delay to individual projects. It’s that investment, skills, and economic activity begin to drift elsewhere.

The countries that move first attract investment, build supply chains, develop expertise, and create export opportunities that last for decades.

Scotland is in a strong position. Projects are ready. Investors are watching. The supply chain is waiting. Scotland has talked enough about leading this industry. Now we must build it.

David Hinshelwood is project director for Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm