Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess has renewed calls for community ownership to be at the centre of Scotland’s offshore wind future, following a report highlighting major gaps in the current ScotWind model.
The Scottish Green MSP said the findings from the new Rethinking ScotWind report, published by Future Economy Scotland, show how much potential is being lost under the current approach to leasing Scotland’s offshore wind capacity.
The report warns that 78% of existing ScotWind capacity is owned overseas, with foreign governments and corporations set to benefit more from future profits than Scotland itself.
It also criticises the first leasing round for securing limited public revenues, setting weak supply chain conditions, and failing to guarantee public equity stakes in offshore projects.
“Scotland’s offshore wind potential is one of our greatest national assets,” Burgess said.
“But the current model risks exporting the wealth it generates rather than reinvesting it in our communities.”
Burgess has long advocated for a shift toward public and community ownership of energy infrastructure as a way to create fairer outcomes and lasting benefits for local people.
She welcomed the report’s proposals to remove price caps, include public ownership stakes, and introduce stronger conditions on domestic supply chains and Fair Work.
“Future leasing rounds must be designed to maximise public benefit, not just private profit,” she said.
“That means ensuring communities have a real stake in the energy being generated on their doorstep.”
Burgess is now calling on the Scottish Government to embed community ownership as a core principle in future ScotWind rounds.
She argues this approach could help tackle fuel poverty, strengthen local economies, and ensure the transition to renewable energy delivers lasting value to the people of Scotland.
“We must put the Scottish people at the heart of our energy transition,” she added.
