Offshore Wind Conference 2025 Programme

It is time to push boundaries and think big.

Meeting the UK and Scottish Governments’ ambitious 2030 offshore wind targets will require a collective effort from developers to drive projects, co-ordinated support from both governments and the masterstroke from a whole raft of skilled, experienced, innovative suppliers, too.

From Great British Energy to the Scottish Government’s Green Industrial Strategy, this session will explore how we can connect the dots across the supply chain to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future. The real question is: how do we truly get into gear and overcome barriers to deliver tangible results?

In this session we’ll cover:

• How a joint effort can unlock crucial investment in the supply chain
• Lessons learned from businesses that have joined forces to get things done and offer enhanced solutions by pooling a range of expertise
• How the industry can collaborate with governments to tackle the barriers to offshore wind deployment head on

Speakers
Susie Lind, UK Managing Director, BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership
Juergen Maier, Chair, Great British Energy

The Offshore Wind Conference will once again have an area of Business Booths in the exhibition hall dedicated to helping businesses access supply chain opportunities. Delegates will be able to book a 15-minute, one-to-one meeting direct with the buyer. Business Booths will be open from 1000-1645 on day one and during this time meetings will be organised by the Scottish Renewables team. Delegates will be notified when bookings are open closer to the event and further information will be available on this page.

Supercharging Scotland

In its ground-breaking inward investment announcement, Sumitomo shared its plans to establish major operations in the Highlands. The Japanese business aims to supply high-voltage cables to the offshore wind energy sector from a 57,500 m2, £350 million facility. Now under construction near Easter Ross’s Port of Nigg yard, the manufacturing plant will create 330 jobs in Scotland over 10 years.

This keynote session will hear the story behind the investment as Mike Engelbrecht from Sumitomo Electric Industries reveals what motivated the ambitious undertaking.

Speaker
Mike Engelbrecht, Vice President, Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables

Sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn

Scotland and the UK have no shortage of ambitious businesses with investment plans aplenty. But how do we unlock the potential of these businesses, from ports to SME’s?

This session brings together key figures from the supply chain and finance community to delve into what it is really like to lay your prospectus on the table. We will venture into the ‘dragon's den’ to explore the financial mechanisms on offer, the interested investors and the high-stakes projects to play for.  

In this session you will learn:

• From determined suppliers who have bold business growth plans
• About existing investment options to attract inward investors, expand port infrastructure and scale-up the supply chain
• How to successfully secure finance for emerging enterprise propositions
• What role will public finance mechanisms, like the National Wealth Fund, play in enabling supply chain investment?

Speakers
Eddie McAvinchey, Banking & Investments – Scotland, National Wealth Fund

Sponsored by Port of Cromarty Firth

Scotland has no shortage of entrepreneurial spirit and business across the country are using their diverse set of skills, experience and ingenuity to deliver results for offshore wind farm projects.

The supply chain is so much more than blades, towers and foundations. From mooring design, inspection services, software and drones to underwater energy management and vessel brokerage, the scope of work for an offshore wind farm is extensive. Hundreds of go-getting companies are aiming to seize the opportunities within this complex ecosystem, they’re working hard to collaborate, upskill, innovate, expand and develop optimum solutions for clients.

This session will showcase some of Scotland's capable and dedicated offshore wind suppliers, offering an insight into the inner workings of the businesses powering the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and operation of offshore wind projects.

In this session, businesses will cover:

• Their market solutions
• Success stories and lessons learned
• Their future ambitions
• Tips for businesses looking to grow in the sector

Speakers
Ian Milne, Head of Business Development, Balmoral
Stuart Lawson, Solutions Director and Co-Founder, Innovair
Jason Schofield, Managing Director, Green Marine
Paul Olvhoj, Business Development Manager, Orkney Future Ports

Do you want to be in-the-know about the opportunities coming around the corner?

Join us for a session that will explore the short-term orderbook and outline what’s currently on the table and where the next tenders are coming from. Take a moment for the potential at present and hear directly from the projects who are rapidly on their way to getting their feet wet and generating green electrons from Scotland and the UK’s abundant offshore wind resource.

In this session we’ll cover:

• A deep dive into how near-term offshore wind projects are defining a new era of power from the seas
• Updates from the projects which have made it to first power - and the lessons they’ve learned
• Insights into the procurement plans of the fast-moving projects ready to place orders in the next five years

Sponsored by Orkney Future Ports

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

Sponsored by West of Orkney Windfarm

All Offshore Wind Conference 2025 delegates are invited to join a special Burns Supper 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.

In the race to accelerate the global energy transition, offshore wind stands poised to play a pivotal role at the forefront of clean energy innovation. This session will explore how offshore wind can be the backbone of Britain’s transition to clean energy, driving both energy security and economic growth in the long term.

Industry leaders and experts will discuss how co-ordinated efforts across stakeholders, including between governments and developers, are key to unlocking the barriers to deployment and realising the full potential of offshore wind. Together, we will explore what is being done now to overcome challenges, scale development at pace and power the clean energy sprint forward.

In this session we will discuss:

• How offshore wind can become the backbone of our energy system to make Britain a clean energy superpower
• What’s needed to ensure policy across the UK creates appropriate market conditions to ensure investor confidence and enable offshore wind deployment to progress
• Co-ordinated approaches needed to deliver offshore wind in Scotland including Contracts for Difference (CfDs), market reform, Strategic Planning, public finance and funding

Chair
Colin Palmer, Director of Offshore, Scottish Renewables

Offshore wind development faces a myriad of challenges, from navigating complex consenting processes to addressing spatial planning issues and overcoming barriers to deployment. This session will dissect the critical obstacles hindering progress in offshore wind projects, drawing insights from projects deploying in Scottish waters. Focusing on how existing resources and processes can be maximised efficiently, the panellists will explore how regulatory hurdles, planning delays and stakeholder co-ordination impact project timelines and success. Industry experts will discuss innovative solutions, share best practices and propose coordinated strategies to streamline consenting processes and foster efficient planning, aiming to clear the path for a more offshore wind sector.

In this session we will discuss:

• Programme co-ordination of policy and related workstreams to ensure the consenting framework is in place for timely delivery of the Scottish offshore wind pipeline
• How long-term Scottish and UK planning (such as the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) process) will interact with consenting and sectoral marine planning
• What’s needed to streamline the consenting process to pave the way for policy, regulatory alignment and stakeholder engagement
• The need for a clear roadmap covering the what and how of deployment - strategic compensation and secondary legislation

While ambitions to harness offshore wind are considerable, reliable network infrastructure ultimately holds the key to unlocking Scotland’s full potential to meet climate targets in time. Offshore wind projects face numerous challenges in connecting to the grid, from delays in grid connections to the complexities of co-ordinated offshore networks, all of which elevate risk and costs for projects of national importance.

This session will explore how the promise of reform can be married with the certainty of strategic planning to restore investor confidence in the market. With the brief for Clean Power by 2030 now in hand, join us for a discussion with industry experts on the key levers required to clear the path for connection of the pipeline of offshore wind projects critical for clean energy.

In this session we will discuss:

• Strategic planning and long-term co-ordination across the UK to deliver net-zero – exploring strategic system planning and Scottish inputs for the National Energy System Operator (NESO)
• Will strategic network and Spatial Energy Plans alleviate offshore wind’s grid problems?
• Realising a co-ordinated offshore grid that works for everyone
• Safeguarding offshore wind within Connections Reform

Chair
Stephen McKellar, Head of Grid & Network, Scottish Renewables

As offshore wind continues to evolve and expand, the need for harmonious coexistence with the fishing industry and other sea users has never been more critical. This session brings together leaders from both sectors to explore collaborative solutions to current challenges that ensure mutual benefit.

We’ll cover key topics such as the impact of offshore wind on marine ecosystems, sustainable fishing practices, and how strategic planning can consider both industries. Panellists will share insights on regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement and innovative approaches and solutions that can protect livelihoods in tandem with offshore wind deployment. Join this discussion on building a balanced, inclusive future for our shared waters.

In this session, we will cover:

• Effective strategies for harmonising both fixed and floating offshore wind development with fishing industry needs, fostering balanced coexistence
• Key stakeholder engagement practices to ensure inclusive decision-making and shared desired outcomes
• Addressing spatial challenges to equitably accommodate offshore wind, fishing, and other marine users
• Mitigation measures and policy initiatives to reduce conflicts, protect ecosystems, and support sustainable long-term growth for both sectors

Speakers
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
Raymond Hall, Renewable Energy Policy Officer, Scottish White Fish Producers Association

The Scottish offshore wind pipeline boasts an impressive 40GW to support decarbonisation and reach Scotland and UK net-zero goals, but how will we get there?

Join us for a session featuring project updates from ScotWind and INTOG developers as they dive deeper into their project’s development and the lessons learned along the way. More than 20GW of the offshore wind pipeline is attributed to floating offshore wind projects, some of which we will hear from, placing Scotland first for floating offshore wind.

Scotland has an opportunity to lead the world in deploying offshore wind, particularly in relation to floating, and this session will keep you updated on the latest developments, challenges and opportunities on the path ahead.

In this session, we will cover:

• Analysis of the demands and opportunities presented by the offshore wind pipeline in Scotland and the UK
• Key development phase offshore wind project overviews, updates and lessons learned so far to ensure the barriers to offshore wind deployment are overcome at pace

Chair
Maggie Olson, Policy Manager – New Technologies, Scottish Renewables