The Crown Estate- which historically owns the sea-bed to the 12 mile limit, including that around Scotland – announced today that it is offering exclusivity agreements for developments in ten areas within Scottish territorial waters. Three of these sites are off the coast of Argyll. This creates the potential for major economic development in the area. The sites in question are off the west coast of Kintyre close to Machrihanish, to the southwest of Islay and to the southwest of Tiree.

The Tiree site, the biggest of the three, is capable of producing 1,5MW, enough power for up to a million homes.

Welcoming the initiative, Argyll’s MSP Jim Mather – whose ministerial brief include energy – pointed out that the strategic development of renewable energy generation in Scottish territorial waters is a top priority. The Scottish Government is currently engaged in a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for offshore wind within Scottish territorial waters. This will see a managed  rather than piecemeal development process. The formal issue of site leases from the Crown Estate is subject to the specific outcomes of this assessment which will complete within the year.

Mr Mather says: ‘This is a hugely significant announcement and underscores the potential that the Scottish Government has identified for offshore wind as part of the development of renewables for Scotland.

‘Out of ten sites identified by the Crown Estates three are located off  the coast of Argyll & Bute and that must encourage hopes of long term economic benefit. While this is still at a very early stage I would like to put the following  on record:

• ‘Our  Scottish Government is committed to the development of offshore wind and with approximately 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential, the economic and community opportunities for Scotland are substantial.
• ‘It is crucial that proposed developments, as they move forward, work hand in hand with the environment.  Therefore the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for offshore wind within Scottish territorial waters.  Formal site leases from the Crown Estate are subject to the outcome of this SEA, which will be completed within the next 12 months.
• ‘Developers will also need relevant consents and licenses from Scottish Government – our processes not only involve full consideration of the potential impacts of site but detailed consultation with local communities and other stakeholders.

‘However it is clear that this could offer a major economic boost for Argyll & Bute’.

Details of the sites proposed for Argyll waters are:

Kintyre – where the applicant is Airtricity Holdings UK Ltd, the Capacity is 378 MW and the area of the site is 69.4 km2

Islay – where the applicant is Airtricity Holdings UK Ltd, the Capacity is 680 MW and the area of the site is 94.58 km2

Tiree – where the applicant is Scottish Power Renewables, the Capacity is 1,500MW and the site is 361 km2

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