Scotland's £150M Offshore Wind Investment Aims to Stay Ahead in the Global Green Energy Race
Scotland's offshore wind sector is set to receive a record £150 million capital investment from the Scottish Government as part of its 2025-26 budget. This funding, which is part of a larger £500 million five-year strategy, aims to boost private investment in the sector by up to £1.5 billion. The move is expected to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland and support supply chains, ports, and manufacturing facilities.
While the announcement is being welcomed as a landmark moment for Scotland's green economy, questions remain about how quickly the benefits will be felt, who will see the biggest gains, and what it means for communities on the ground.
Offshore wind has long been seen as a cornerstone of Scotland’s green industrial strategy. With the world shifting toward net-zero targets, demand for renewable energy is only set to grow. Scotland, with its vast coastline and wind resources, is in a prime position to capitalise on this opportunity.
The recently published Green Industrial Strategy identifies offshore wind as one of five priority sectors for growth and investment. This is not just about powering homes; it’s about powering the economy. Ports, manufacturing, and the wider supply chain stand to benefit.
As part of this drive, the Scottish Government plans to establish an offshore wind hub in the North-East, a move that is expected to provide a new channel for industry to engage with policy teams and shape the future of the sector.
The £150 million for 2025-26 represents the second year of a five-year strategy to pump up to £500 million into offshore wind. The breakdown of the funding includes:
Capital investment of £150 million to support the infrastructure needed for offshore wind deployment.
Resource funding of £12.5 million to drive skills development, innovation, and ongoing operational support.
This investment builds on the £67 million allocated in 2024-25, bringing the total commitment to date to over £217 million. These funds will support everything from the development of manufacturing hubs and port facilities to training centres for skilled workers.
This isn't just a win for large corporations. If allocated effectively, it could unlock major supply chain opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to contribute to the production, assembly, and maintenance of offshore wind turbines.
Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, was optimistic, saying:
“The renewable energy industry is pleased that the Scottish Government will increase the next tranche of its funding commitment to the offshore wind supply chain. It is also encouraging to see the revenues from ScotWind directly utilised for clean industrial growth.”
One of the most celebrated aspects of this investment is the potential for job creation. The Scottish Government has pledged that thousands of "well-paid, green jobs" will be created as a direct result of the offshore wind boom.
But what does this actually look like in practice? The hope is that jobs will be created in areas such as:
Port development and operations: As offshore wind turbines are transported, assembled, and maintained, ports like Leith and Dundee will become key hubs for logistical operations.
Manufacturing: From turbine blades to component parts, many manufacturing roles could be filled by workers trained in Scotland.
Supply chain jobs: Jobs aren't just limited to those directly working with turbines. There are roles in engineering, logistics, and technology development that support the wider offshore wind ecosystem.
Skilled trades and training opportunities: The need for welders, engineers, electricians, and technicians will increase as new infrastructure is built. Training centres will play a crucial role in reskilling the workforce.
However, critics have raised concerns about the quality and permanence of these jobs. While construction jobs will be plentiful during the build phase, it is unclear how many of these roles will remain once the turbines are operational.
Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin was clear about the opportunity:
“Our vast resources provide us with significant opportunity to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland while accelerating our journey to net zero.”
She added that the government was committed to ensuring a just transition so that existing workers and supply chains are part of the shift to clean energy.
While the Scottish Government promises economic benefits for all of Scotland, it’s worth asking: Will communities in the North-East feel the biggest benefits?
The announcement of an offshore wind hub in the North-East is designed to position the region as a national leader in offshore wind. Given the area's existing links to the oil and gas sector, there is significant potential for workers in fossil fuel industries to transition into renewables.
However, communities in the North-East have previously expressed concerns about the slow pace of green job creation. There have been claims that previous offshore wind developments relied too heavily on overseas manufacturing and supply chains, leaving Scottish communities without the promised job boom.
To avoid repeating these mistakes, the government needs to ensure that:
Local supply chains are prioritised: Where possible, local firms should be given opportunities to win contracts for parts, assembly, and logistics.
Training and upskilling opportunities are available: Workers from other sectors (like oil and gas) should have access to training programmes that allow them to transition into new roles.
Accountability and transparency: There needs to be clear reporting on where jobs are being created, how local communities are benefiting, and where investment is being allocated.
While Scotland is undoubtedly a leader in offshore wind, it faces stiff competition from other countries. The UK as a whole is racing to meet its own offshore wind capacity targets, and countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany are also advancing rapidly.
If Scotland wants to remain a global leader, it needs to focus on speed, efficiency, and competitiveness. Investment alone isn't enough, project timelines must be accelerated, and regulatory red tape needs to be reduced to ensure that projects aren't held up by planning issues.
The establishment of a North-East offshore wind hub is a positive move, but its success will depend on how quickly the government and industry can work together to deliver results.
The Scottish Government’s £150 million investment in offshore wind is a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable economy. It promises to create thousands of jobs, support the North-East as a renewable energy hub, and attract billions of pounds in private investment.
However, to ensure that this investment benefits the people of Scotland, there are several key questions that need to be addressed:
Will local jobs be prioritised over imported labour and supply chains?
Will offshore wind hubs in the North-East result in a long-term economic boost for the region, or will the benefits be short-lived?
How will the government ensure a just transition for oil and gas workers?
For now, the Scottish Government’s intentions are clear, offshore wind is central to its Green Industrial Strategy. With ports, supply chains, and training initiatives all set to benefit, this investment could be a transformative moment for Scotland’s economy.
The challenge is to ensure that these opportunities are not just promised, but delivered.
