Crown Estate Scotland on Monday unveiled proposals to lease seabed to encourage a new generation of offshore wind projects in Scotland’s waters.

A Crown Estate Scotland paper outlines the draft process and asks those interested to help shape the final approach.

Crown Estate Scotland passes the money it makes from offshore renewables to the Scottish Government for public spending.

John Robertson, Senior Energy & Infrastructure Manager at Crown Estate Scotland, said: “Using our seas to power Scotland is an important part of our economic and environmental well-being.

“To provide affordable, secure and clean energy, Scotland must continue to sustainably use its natural resources and grow the offshore wind sector.”

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform, said: “The potential benefits of offshore renewable energy to Scotland are enormous.

“That is why it is important that Crown Estate Scotland makes available the right seabed locations at the right time, in order to contribute to delivery of our energy strategy, attract inward investment, develop new technology and continue to drive down the associated costs of offshore energy.

“I therefore encourage anyone with an interest to feedback to help shape Crown Estate Scotland’s contribution to our energy strategy.”