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Sector Deal - Legislative & Regulatory Update

Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal Update: Legislative and Regulatory

To reach the ambition of 20GW of onshore wind by 2030, we need a strategic approach to delivering investment in our electricity network and to inform a coordinated approach to the transportation of wind turbine components across Scotland’s road network.

Onshore wind development is enabled by several legislative and regulatory frameworks including the design of electricity markets, regulation of networks, and the legislation governing the transportation of abnormal loads by road. While these frameworks have significant implications for the development, construction, and operation of onshore wind farms in Scotland, the legislative and regulatory frameworks that govern them apply across Great Britain and are reserved to the UK Government. In the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, the Scottish Government and onshore wind sector will continue to work with the UK Government to promote the interests of onshore within these frameworks. It also includes actions which can help ensure that these GB frameworks can deliver good outcomes.

There are 7 commitments in the Sector Deal that support and address legislative and regulatory change needed to achieve 2030 onshore wind targets.

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Supporting the Connection Process and Market Reform

In the Sector Deal, the onshore wind sector agrees to work with network companies, the ESO, Government and Ofgem to support improvements to the connection process and proactively help manage the connection queue. The pipeline analysis being developed through the Sector Deal will also support the ESO and network companies in delving effectively and timely network planning.

The Scottish Government will provide a forward vision for onshore wind beyond 2030 as well as engage the UK government and other decision-makers to advocate for market reform, Contracts for Difference mechanisms, and network charging that supports the delivery of Scotland’s onshore wind ambitions.

Who is Involved

Scottish Renewables (Megan Amundson, Head of Onshore Wind & Consenting) and the Scottish Government (Jasmine Killen, Unit Head, Onshore Renewable Electricity Policy and Electricity Networks ) are working with National ESO, Scottish Power Energy Networks, SSE Networks, Ofgem, and UK Government. Please contact Megan with any queries.

Work Update

  • Scottish Renewables is actively engaging the ESO, ScottishPower Energy Networks and SSE Networks through their ongoing work programme on grid and network issues.  This work covers the interests of the whole renewables sector and includes the Sector Deal.
  • BVGa has briefed SSE Networks on the pipeline analysis so they can incorporate this data into their network planning.
  • BVGa is finalising a date with ScottishPower Energy Networks grid planning team to provide them with a briefing.
  • The Scottish Government's ambition of 20GW of onshore wind by 2030 is included in the NESO's Beyond 2030 national blueprint for a decarbonised electricity system in Great Britain (page 50). 

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Supporting Transportation of Turbine Parts

In the Sector Deal, the Scottish Government and onshore wind sector agree to collaborate on a plan for timely and properly resourced processes to deliver turbine components across Scotland’s road network.

Who is Involved

There are three abnormal loads working groups.

The Abnormal Loads Practitioners Group brings together Police Scotland, hauliers that specialise in turbine transport and the OEMs (turbine manufacturers) to coordinate current abnormal load movements. This group is run by Police Scotland with Gary Munro as the key contact.

The Abnormal Loads Focus Group brings together Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK to discuss how best to meet the increasing demand for abnormal load movements resulting from the energy transition.  Please contact Jasmine Killen, Unit Head, Onshore Renewable Electricity Policy and Electricity Networks , at the Scottish Government regarding this group.

The Abnormal Loads Legislative Reform Group brings together the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Scottish Renewables, RenewableUK, Police Scotland and legal advisors from government, industry and Police Scotland. The purpose of this group is to explore the potential options for legislative change in Scotland to allow abnormal loads to be moved more efficiently. Please contact Jasmine Killen, Unit Head, Onshore Renewable Electricity Policy and Electricity Networks , at the Scottish Government regarding this group.

Work Update

  • The Abnormal Loads Practitioners Group meets quarterly and has been provided with a copy of the project pipeline analysis.
  • Police Scotland has been briefed on the pipeline analysis with a specific focus on abnormal loads.
  • The Abnormal Loads Focus Group is expected to reconvene to discuss the implications of the pipeline analysis and how it might be addressed.
  • Conversations are happening with the new UK Government and the recently announced Onshore Wind Industry Task Force to address legislation around abnormal loads.
  • The Abnormal Loads Legislative Reform Group has been reconvened to progress this workstream, with the most recent meeting being held on November 5. Police Scotland, who sit on the group, have been briefed on the extent of the issue and the expected impact on the pipeline in the coming years. Scottish Renewables, Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and Police Scotland are discussing policy options. This work will inform the actions taken by the UK Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce.

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Addressing Oversail and Overrun

In the Sector Deal, the Scottish Government has agreed to develop good practice guidance for contractual negotiations in overrun and oversail situations.

Who is Involved

Select sector representatives are being surveyed on current oversail and overrun experiences, as are National Farmers’ Union Scotland, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and Scottish Agricultural Arbiters’ & Valuers’ Association.

Please contact Stephen Corrie, Onshore Renewable Electricity, Onshore Electricity, Strategy and Consents, with the Scottish Government for more information.

Work Update

  • A survey for information on benchmarking oversail and overrun management has been created and is being selectively circulated. A benchmark is expected to be developed in Q3 2024.

  • A survey has been completed with selected stakeholders of oversail and overrun. Outputs from the survey and next steps are being determined by Scottish Government.