Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S7W-01420

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards its target of 20GW of operational onshore wind capacity by 2030, and what assessment it has made of whether current consenting rates are sufficient to meet that target.

As of the end of Q1 2026, there was 10.7GW of onshore wind installed capacity with an additional 5.9GW awaiting construction and 2.1GW under construction. This gives a total of 18.7GW consented onshore wind capacity across these categories. These figures are taken from publications released by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

It is vital to note that achieving consent is only one of several factors that determine deliverability. Grid availability and a route to market through Contracts for Difference are key factors outwith the Scottish Government’s control.

Question reference: S7W-01422

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what role it anticipates the repowering and extension of existing onshore wind sites will play in meeting its target of 20GW of operational onshore wind by 2030, and whether it plans to bring forward enhanced policy support for repowering.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that repowering will play in delivering on our onshore wind ambitions.

Scotland’s long-standing support for onshore wind, sustained even when deployment elsewhere in Great Britain stalled, means that most initial repowering opportunities will be in Scotland.

We will continue to consider what additional measures might further support onshore wind deployment in Scotland, including repowering, as we work with industry to deliver our shared ambitions.

Question reference: S7W-01424

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator to ensure that Scotland's onshore wind potential, including the role of future repowering and site extension capacity, is appropriately reflected in the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

Question reference: S7W-01769

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 14 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out the process by which the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), which it is co-sponsoring with the UK Government, will be approved, and when it expects that process to be concluded.

Question reference: S7W-01423

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to uphold the commitments of the 2023 Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, including the 12-month and 24-month determination targets, and how many applications have (a) met and (b) missed these targets since the sector deal was agreed.

Question reference: S7W-01421

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in taking forward legislative options to allow the escorting of abnormal loads for onshore wind projects by an agency other than Police Scotland or Transport Scotland, and what timeline it is working to for bringing forward any such legislation.

Question reference: S7W-00988

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary is accountable for the delivery of the major infrastructure projects.

Question reference: S7W-00989

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 18 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto, when it will establish a Major Projects Office to oversee the delivery of major infrastructure.

Scotland is a high confidence, stable and attractive destination for investment. Building on these strong foundations, the Major Projects Office will coordinate, package, and accelerate nationally significant projects involving private sector investment, serving as a single point of contact to identify projects that are in the national interest and assist with ensuring that these are built faster. The Major Projects Office will commence operation later this year, with further detail on project criteria and engagement with relevant delivery bodies to follow.

Question reference: S7W-00990

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 18 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto, what definitions of major infrastructure will be included in the remit of the Major Projects Office.

Question reference: S7W-00991

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 18 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that government agencies and local authorities are aligned in their decision-making in relation to the Major Projects Office.