The E-Fwd Energy Transition event at Holyrood this month brought together policymakers, developers and industry leaders to take an honest look at the challenges and opportunities for Scotland’s energy transition as we head towards 2030.
The event kicked off with a fireside chat with Anas Sarwar, followed by an industry panel featuring Ocean Winds, SSEN Transmission, Offshore Energies UK and Pinsent Masons, before opening up to perspectives from across the political spectrum.
It was a timely and insightful discussion at the start of what looks set to be a pivotal year for the sector. Below are my key takeaways from the event.
Consenting delays are now a critical risk to timely delivery
A clear consensus emerged that consenting delays – particularly for Scottish offshore wind projects – have become a critical bottleneck. Projects are waiting significantly longer for approvals than in England, creating uncertainty that is now directly affecting investment decisions and project financing.
There were strong calls for statutory determination deadlines, increased resourcing of consenting bodies and the introduction of a Scottish Marine Recovery Fund to address environmental concerns without stalling delivery. Without reform, Scotland risks losing competitiveness at a time when global capital is increasingly selective.
Supply chain strain and workforce risk
The supply chain was another major concern, especially the unintended consequences of the “Just Transition”. With experienced oil and gas workers in the north of Scotland increasingly leaving the UK to work elsewhere, there is a real risk of skills shortages just as demand for renewable delivery accelerates.
Retaining and redeploying this workforce will be critical if Scotland is to meet its ambitions.
Transmission charging and investment confidence
Transmission charging inequalities were also brought up as a challenge for many. The current Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) regime places significantly higher costs on Scottish generators, despite Scotland hosting much of the UK’s renewable capacity. Developers argued this misalignment is increasingly undermining investment confidence and must be revisited.
Diversification beyond wind
Technologies such as Carbon Capture Storage (CCS), hydrogen and nuclear were acknowledged as important to the wider energy ecosystem, but investor certainty remains limited. Projects like Acorn highlight the challenge, and whilst the strategic importance is clear, delivery certainty and stakeholder alignment on commercially bankable frameworks are continuing to apply the breaks on delivery confidence.
What 2026 needs to deliver
The takeaway from Holyrood was clear. Scotland has the ambition and capability to lead the energy transition, but delivery is now constrained by pace and certainty.
By 2030, progress will be judged on faster consenting, investable policy frameworks, a stable skills pipeline and infrastructure charging regimes that support and encourage renewable generation.
