Offshore wind
With unrivalled wind resources, Scotland is home to the largest floating offshore wind market in the world. It’s also home to your opportunity to work on ground-breaking renewable energy projects.
Scotland's offshore wind sector
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World-leading offshore wind market
Scotland is one of the world's top 10 offshore wind markets, with a pipeline of 42 gigawatts (GW).
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Carbon neutral by 2040
Scotland plans to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
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Strong project pipeline
Scotland has 10.2 GW of offshore wind projects in development.
The offshore wind sector in Scotland
Join an internationally recognised workforce in an energy sector at the forefront of innovation. Scotland’s expertise, built up during a 50-year period of leadership in oil and gas, offers huge advantages.
Part of this includes a legacy of large deep-water platform and rig construction sites. We also have a well-established supply chain to support the renewables sector.
Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm
Your skills are in demand
Scotland is where innovative minds and industry connect. We have the largest concentration of offshore engineering expertise outside of Houston, USA. There are many opportunities to build a rewarding career and broaden your skills.
Work from the ground up, as the offshore wind sector continues to launch large-scale and ambitious commercial projects. You can be a part of early innovation and contribute to creating a huge market for new floating wind technologies, the sector’s supply chain and the latest port infrastructure.
Could you find your next opportunity in manufacturing? As demand increases for specialist equipment such as export cables, array cables, and wind turbine blades, Scotland’s supply chain will need new talent to keep up the momentum.
Specialisms as broad as engineering, automation, robotics and big data will all be part of Scotland’s energy transition.
Some of the companies working in offshore wind and the wider supply chain in Scotland include:
- Ocean Windsopens in a new window – partnership developing global offshore wind farms
- Inch Capeopens in a new window – one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind projects
- Pict Offshoreopens in a new window – height safety solutions for the offshore wind sector
- Haventusopens in a new window – offering pivotal infrastructure for the offshore wind industry
- Port of Niggopens in a new window – energy industry facilities
See how Scotland will deliver renewable energy skills for a sustainable future
Explore roles in Scotland's offshore wind sector
We’re consistently innovating in our offshore wind sector. So, whatever your passion, and however niche your expertise, you’ll find a home for it in Scotland.
Find offshore wind sector jobs on LinkedIn opens in a new window
How Scotland supports offshore wind
The Scottish Government is committed to further growth of an already strong offshore wind market.
Your career can flourish in an industry that’s quickly growing its renewable energy sector to meet world-leading targets. For example, Scotland has written into law its aim to become carbon neutral by 2040 and have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
In 2025 Scotland had 10.2GW of projects at various stages of development. These projects will make up the bulk of the Scottish Government's target of 11GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Funding continues to flow into the sector. £50 million of investment is being made at the Port of Leith by Forth Ports to deliver the 1.1GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.
£150 million is going into redevelopment of Hunterston Marine Yard in Ayrshire. This investment will prepare the site for major renewables infrastructure to enable increased offshore wind power on the west coast of Scotland.
Find out more about the Hunterston redevelopment on the Peel Ports websiteopens in a new window
Sumitomo Electric are investing £350 million in a new Highland cable facility. The high voltage cables are an essential part of the offshore wind supply chain and the investment will create over 300 jobs in the next 10 years.
Discover more about Sumitomo's investment on the Offshore Wind Scotland websiteopens in a new window
The sector at a glance
Scotland’s wind sector consistently delivers world-firsts, including the first deep-water wind project and the first floating wind farm. Other innovative projects include:
- European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre opens in a new window – built in 2018, these are the world’s most powerful turbines
- MeyGen 1A opens in a new window – the world’s first utility-scale tidal array in 2017
- Hywind Scotland opens in a new window – the world’s first floating offshore wind farm
- Kincardine project opens in a new window – our second floating offshore wind farm and the world’s largest at 48 megawatts (MW)
- SOWEC’s strategic investment modelopens in a new window is an industry innovation to develop a range of projects. Two initial port projects being taken forward are the Port of Cromarty Firth expansion and Port of Nigg West deep water quay project.
If you’re looking to explore research and development (R&D), the Floating Wind Joint Industry Project opens in a new window is a great place to explore opportunities across electrical systems, mooring systems, and logistics for floating wind projects.
As the voice of Scotland’s renewable energy industry, Scottish Renewables opens in a new window hosts networking events, seminars, and annual conferences – so you can stay informed about what’s next in the industry.
The Clean Energy Clusteropens in a new window is the national body representing Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain. The organisation promotes and supports suppliers to foster innovation and develop opportunities.
Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm
Connected institutions and infrastructure
If further education and new skills are in your plans, Scotland has a hub of academic excellence and transformative research with 19 world-class universities across the country.
Scotland also has industry-leading facilities in R&D and technology. Our innovative facilities include:
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult opens in a new window
- Floating Offshore Wind centre of excellence opens in a new window
- Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) opens in a new window
- Net Zero Technology Centre opens in a new window
You can also broaden your expertise in Scotland’s many collaborative innovation centres. These include:
Quality of life
Scotland has lots to offer outside of work.
Wherever you decide to work in Scotland, you’ll discover welcoming communities, rich history and vibrant culture. Enjoy shorter commutes, world-class education, free healthcare and plenty of green space on your doorstep.
Building a career in Scotland comes with a lower cost of living than many other major locations. You’ll benefit from flexibility for hybrid and remote working while being fully supported by reliable digital connectivity.
As one of the best-connected places in Europe, Scotland has six airports with daily direct flights to 150 destinations worldwide. We also have fast and frequent rail links to all parts of the UK.
Moving to Scotland
We welcome people from around the world who want to build exceptional careers across Scotland.
Learn more about moving to Scotland on Scotland.org opens in a new window