Offshore Wind Conference 2026 Programme

Claire Mack OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy

The offshore wind sector stands ready to unlock a multi-billion-pound economic promise, but have we been putting square supply chain policy into a round hole? While the massive project pipeline presents unprecedented opportunities, we must foster a positive business environment while tackling regulatory and infrastructure challenges to secure a resilient, local supply chain. This session is a deep dive into the wide-ranging policy levers and investment products needed to fully grasp the sector’s economic potential.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• How policy levers, including the Clean Industry Bonus and the Regulation Action Plan, are required to create optimum operating conditions for Scottish and UK businesses
• The critical infrastructure that businesses need in order to operate, such as an  expanded electricity network and transport connectivity
• How a thriving supply chain can benefit from legislative reform and public/private cooperation to address critical issues such as skills development and the impact of customs requirements on offshore goods

Speaker
Rob Gilbert, Director of Supply Chain, Great British Energy 

The rapid deployment of Scotland’s offshore wind pipeline is critical for securing long-term energy security for the UK. Delivering this pipeline demands significant inward investment to grow domestic manufacturing hubs, boost local supply chains and address the supply chain bottlenecks for key components such as turbines and HVDC cables. However, this drive for capital and capacity goes hand in hand with complex national security concerns, competitive global markets and volatile geopolitical dynamics.

Looking at the delicate balance between national security and energy security, this session will cover:

• The capacity challenges and availability of key components such as turbines and HVDC cables
• How to balance the need for global supply chain support with perceived security threats
• How domestic supply chains benefit from inward investment and how we can pull the global purse strings
• The integration of digital security within our critical energy infrastructure and national assets at a time of geopolitical uncertainty

As the next batch of Scottish offshore wind projects advance through development, we are reaching a significant moment where turbines meet quayside. This session will provide a valuable, on-the-ground perspective from a project currently in its construction phase. We will move beyond the plans on paper to explore the real, live challenges and solutions emerging as foundations make their way into the water. 

In this session, you’ll hear about:

• The unforeseen logistical and procurement barriers the project has encountered and how the team is successfully overcoming them
• Scottish suppliers who have worked on the project, their direct experiences and key takeaways
• The procurement and project lessons learned that can be applied to the delivery of Scotland's offshore wind pipeline

Tier 1 contractors are the crucial link between project ambition and supply chain reality. This session will provide a clear and candid understanding of how to connect the cogs of the supply chain ecosystem with the global forces shaping the plans of tier 1 contractors. Join us as we uncover how Scotland’s network of suppliers can transform from local providers to strategic, global partners.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• What tier 1 contractors are looking for in Scottish suppliers and how to navigate the procurement process
• How these multinationals are transitioning their business models to meet the needs of a world moving away from the use of fossil fuels
• A deeper understanding of the biggest global challenges tier 1 contractors face, such as growing demand, investment uncertainty, competitive pressures and an ever-changing political landscape

In Association with ORE Catapult

Offshore wind projects are complex and demand innovation at every stage, from subsea engineering to project security. This session links the industry's most pressing challenges with the creative, cutting-edge solutions being developed by the supply chain. Expect a series of dynamic, problem-solving presentations designed to inspire and spark collaboration.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How supply chain companies from across the UK are applying their expertise to add value, de-risk and optimise offshore wind projects
• About the technologies of tomorrow driving the future of the sector, such as advanced noise mitigation and cutting-edge autonomous systems
• About how innovation happens and what investors are looking for in commercial-ready technology

As the global offshore wind market expands, so do the opportunities for Scotland's world-class supply chain. Scottish companies, some with decades of experience, are uniquely positioned to meet the demands of international projects. This session will provide a roadmap for suppliers looking to transition their domestic focus to a global outlook. We will explore where these opportunities exist and how an international mindset can secure major contracts around the globe. You'll hear directly from international representatives with strategic insight into the world’s renewable energy stage.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• Which international offshore wind markets offer the most potential growth for Scottish companies
• About the supportive mechanisms in place and the practical steps needed to reorientate your business for competing and succeeding on a global scale
• From international experts with unrivalled industry knowledge

All delegates, exhibitors and speakers are welcome to join this drinks reception taking place in the exhibition hall.

All delegates are invited to join a special the Offshore Wind Conference 2026 Dinner, taking place on the evening of day one at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum – a 15-minute walk from the conference venue.

This is a paid event and all delegates must book a table or ticket to join. More information is available on this page of the event website.

With the results from the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7 (AR7) set to be announced on January 14, how will this set the tone for Scottish projects in the lead-up to 2030?  Will AR7 deliver a boost to the Scottish sector, or will the results reinforce the view that bold action is required to enable a route to market for Scottish projects?

This session will bring together key stakeholders and industry experts to digest the AR7 results and discuss what lies next for the Scottish offshore wind sector as the industry navigates major shifts in the policy landscape such as the UK Government’s Reformed National Pricing programme.

In this session, we will cover:

• What the results of AR7 mean for the Scottish offshore wind sector
• The different market considerations for fixed and floating offshore wind projects
• How investor confidence can be maintained as major long-term reforms to market arrangements and energy system planning are being developed

Chair
Colin Palmer, Director of Offshore, Scottish Renewables

Speaker
Michelle Quinn, Director of Offshore Wind, Scottish Government

After a busy 2025, the Scottish Government will share the progress of key policy drivers and explore how they are facilitating a positive environment for offshore wind in Scotland.

You'll hear the latest updates on the Scottish Government’s top-priority policies for offshore wind — and learn how government and industry are working together to address the key planning and consenting challenges facing offshore wind in Scotland. You will have the chance to ask questions and find out what’s coming next as we enter an election year.

In this session, we will cover the progress of:

• The Updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement
• The Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy
• The Scottish Marine Recovery Fund
• Reforms to the Habitats Regulations for offshore wind and how they have unlocked increased environmental compensation for offshore wind projects

As offshore wind continues to scale up, public understanding and political support are more critical than ever. Yet, in an increasingly crowded media landscape, industry messages often fail to resonate with key audiences - from local communities to national policymakers.

This session will explore how Scotland’s offshore wind sector can sharpen its communication strategies to build trust, counter misinformation and drive a positive narrative. We’ll hear from communication experts about what works best when telling the story of our sector.

Join us to answer the following questions:

• How do we move beyond technical jargon to connect with public values?
• What is the role of social media and local engagement in building support?
• How do we play to our strengths and create impactful messaging?

Chair
Jack Norquoy, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Kirstine Wood, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Flotation Energy 
John MacAskill, Group Growth Director, ABL Group 

Sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn

As the UK accelerates towards its 2030 offshore wind targets, the successful implementation of Connections Reform signals a turning point. As the reform approaches completion, focus now moves to key workstreams that still hinder deployment — specifically, delays in grid delivery, increasing connection costs and the absence of compensation for developers.

This panel will explore how strategic coordination between NESO, Ofgem and industry stakeholders can unlock stalled capacity, reduce consumer costs and boost investor confidence. Experts will discuss the urgent need for fairer risk-sharing, transparent cost regulation and prompt infrastructure delivery with clear visibility of progress, to ensure offshore wind projects can connect, compete and contribute to the UK’s clean energy targets.

Key talking points will include:

• The impact of Connections Reform on queue prioritisation and project acceleration
• Grid delivery challenges: infrastructure timelines, visibility of progress, strategic works and regulatory oversight
• Compensation for connection delays: international comparisons and UK policy gaps
• Rising grid connection costs: transparency, procurement and developer risk
• Next steps for industry advocacy

Speaker
Alisdair MacMillan, Policy Lead of Electricity Connections, Ofgem

We stand on the precipice of a clean energy revolution, with the Scottish offshore wind industry driving to deliver more than 40GW of clean energy capacity. However, despite the extensive pipeline, the sector faces many challenges. Some of these are addressed in the earlier session, 7A.  In this session, we will dive into the details of some other key factors for the offshore wind sector in Scotland and explore what we are doing to deliver an ambitious pipeline.

We will be joined by experts who will share their insights into progressing offshore wind development.

Join us in this interactive session for presentations on:

• Addressing over-precaution in ornithology impact assessments
• Demystifying OSPAR underwater noise requirements
• Enabling offshore wind through wet storage solutions
• Fisheries coexistence

Chair
Alice Tirbooman, Policy Manager – Offshore Wind, Scottish Renewables 

Speaker
Professor Paul Thompson, University of Aberdeen 

Scotland has a diverse mix of offshore wind projects at (almost) every phase of development. In this session, we will give an overview of the Scottish offshore wind pipeline. Developers from each phase of development will share with their biggest successes – as well as the key challenges – they’ve encountered and the strategies used to address these barriers.