Scotland has opportunities in renewable energy by building on experience from the oil and gas, and the onshore renewables sectors. There are significant barriers, though.
Scotland has considerable competence and expertise in development services (such as environmental engineering), subsea engineering and marine operations, building on experience from the oil and gas, and the onshore renewables sectors. These are areas where Scotland should look to transfer this competence to offshore renewables to establish a leading position and reputation for excellence, which can support export to other markets. The most significant barrier is competition from outside Scotland providing services to Scottish offshore renewable energy projects, and Scottish businesses competing with local expertise in export markets with lower cost bases. The ScotWind leasing rounds could also bring new developers to the Scottish market with established offices elsewhere and non-Scottish supply chains.