Question reference: S6W-07026
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 4 March 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been done, or is planned, on whether any successful applicants to the ScotWind auction have Russian partnerships or financing arrangements in place.
Answer
ScotWind, the recent leasing round for commercial-scale offshore wind projects, is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who are responsible for completing the process of due diligence in line with relevant guidance.
Crown Estate Scotland released a statement on 10 March in regards to ScotWind leasing in light of recent actions by Russia against Ukraine. The statement can be found here:
Statement regarding ScotWind Leasing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The 17 successful ScotWind applications are mainly consortia of different project partners.
Crown Estate Scotland have advised they are committed to taking all appropriate action to not support trade and investment activity with Russia.
In early March, Crown Estate Scotland carried out an initial check of applicants for Russian ownership and / or registration. This did not uncover any Russian ownership or registration.
Crown Estate Scotland have confirmed they have taken a further step of seeking formal, written assurance from all applicants and project partners involved in each of the 17 applications that they will adhere at all times to the relevant sanctions regime. Project partners are subject to sanctions imposed by the state in which they are registered. UK registered entities will need to confirm they adhere to UK sanctions. Entities registered in another state will need to confirm that they adhere to the sanctions imposed by that state.
If Crown Estate Scotland do not receive sufficient assurance, Crown Estate Scotland will take appropriate action.
Crown Estate Scotland have advised that all applicants who secure an option agreement will be required to adhere to relevant sanctions throughout the term of the agreement.
In addition, Crown Estate Scotland have asked applicants for details of any Russian or Belarussian interests and steps that are being taken to divest of those interests.
The Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland will continue to work closely together to ensure each party is fully informed and taking appropriate action in what is a rapidly evolving situation.