Question reference: S6W-09339
- Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 24 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the innovation component of the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing process for floating offshore wind is able to deliver supply chain opportunities and jobs in advance of ScotWind.
Answer
The INTOG Initial Plan Framework has set out a series of geographic areas where no projects will be considered. This primarily affects the Innovation category of projects as Targeted Oil and Gas projects would naturally be located further offshore. These exclusions will help by ensuring projects are not located in areas that are more likely to negatively interact with other projects and on already sensitive receptors and thus delay adoption of the plan. Additionally, the planning and leasing processes have been designed to overlap to allow projects to progress as quickly as possible.
More specifically, all Innovation projects will also be required to deliver Supply Chain Development Statements setting out and committing to investment in supply chain for the project. Like ScotWind, these commitments will be subject to penalties if not met. Applications to Marine Scotland Directorate for relevant consents and licences for INTOG will also benefit from the streamlining work currently underway .