Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it proposed that ScotWind’s option fee model should include annual fees, and, if so, whether it did so (a) prior to or (b) following the announcement of the results, in February 2021, of the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4 auction by the Crown Estate.
Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is responsible for the ScotWind seabed leasing process and undertook the review following the Round 4 announcements. The Scottish Government was informed of options under consideration by CES and of the review’s conclusions, which it supports. Annual fees were considered by CES but ultimately not selected as a preferred option, before or after review.
Furthermore, once projects have secured seabed leases and wind farms are generating energy annual rental payments will be made.