Governance, procurement and assessment process for the Moray FLOW-park: FOI response

21 October 2025

11 November 2025

As you will be aware, the Scottish Government/Scottish Enterprise/Crown Estates have approved a scheme to build a Flow Park in the Moray Firth. They have also published that they have signed a 2yr exclusive agreement with Offshore Solutions Group, and subsequently to a French Co. Setec Grp.

As agreements have been signed, there must be a large assumption that the scheme will go ahead unhindered.

You will also be aware, that there is growing anger and dismay within the community.
With respect to this Scheme, I wonder if you could answer a few questions please? 

• What Governance process has this scheme gone through to get approval.
• What Procurement process did the various parties go through before awarding a contract/agreement.
• What Marine Impact Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments have been carried out prior to this being approved.

OSG state "that the project has been developed through extensive consultation and planning”.
A spokesperson said the Moray Firth was selected “following an extensive, three-year process of surveys, technical assessments and stakeholder interaction, including with the Scottish Government, industry regulators, ports and wind farm developers.”

They added that during 2025, “OSG has undertaken several conversations to introduce the project to relevant Moray and Highland MSPs, MPs and Moray Council,” and continues to engage with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Scottish White Fish Producers Association, local harbour users and the Royal Yachting Association, through its liaison team at Blackhall & Powis. The company confirmed that a full Environmental Impact Assessment is being conducted, covering fish, marine mammals, benthic sea life, and other ecological aspects."

• Can you please confirm OSG's statement and where this can be evidenced?
• What Consultation Process has been followed prior to the scheme being approved.

I am aware that a Public meeting has been arranged where the Co. awarded the Exclusive agreement OSG will present. Will Scottish Gov. CES and Scot. Ent. also be answering questions? In correspondence we are already getting answers like “commercial in confidence”, GDPR, “Legal restrictions prevent us from answering”. Having worked for Scottish Water at a senior level for many years, I am well aware of how Public meetings can go, and how they are subsequently used.To be fair to what will be a sizeable audience how will the questions posed and answered and what obligation will OSG have to answer them? I understand the hall in Forres will hold about 200 people what provision has been made if the attendance exceeds the hall capacity, and what may ensue if people are as a result not admitted. There is a huge community this scheme will affect.

The project has not been granted consent or approved at this time.

As guidance, Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Crown Estate Scotland for an area of seabed which could host a Floating Wind temporary storage facility. This allows OSG to carry out site surveys to support the consenting process and develop a formal option agreement which could lead to a lease of the seabed. It does not give consent to the proposal.
OSG is also working with Scottish Government Marine Directorate and Nature Scot to confirm the licencing and environmental requirements. It is our understanding that a formal screening request is expected to be submitted in early 2026 as part of the formal consenting process.

Scottish Enterprise has no role in the licensing or consenting process.

This was not a procured service, so no procurement process has been carried out by Scottish Enterprise.
As guidance, OSG approached SE in January 2024, as Phase one of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) they were leading (with the support of several offshore wind developers and Crown Estate Scotland) drew to a conclusion.

The JIP sought to address an urgent industry need for temporary storage of floating offshore wind foundations, for use during the construction of floating offshore wind projects, to be in place by 2028. As part of Phase one, OSG carried out a Scotland-wide assessment of potentially suitable locations.
Scottish Enterprise was approached by OSG about support to deliver Phase two of the project. This stage aimed to:

• Refine the choice of locations through detailed technical and environmental analysis
• Develop designs and begin the consenting process to reduce risks and create an investable temporary storage solution
• Focus on how the timing needs of the offshore wind market could be met.

Recognising the importance of pace of this activity - and the critical risk to the floating offshore wind sector in Scotland of temporary storage not being in place when required - Scottish Enterprise held discussions with OSG to consider what support, if any, could be offered to progress the project.

Following analysis of the business plan for the project, a grant offer of support up to £1.83 million was made to OSG. As is usual with SE grant awards, payments are linked to the achievement of key milestones, ensuring the appropriate use of public funds.

To date, funding of £838,014 has been paid to OSG towards the project.

The project has not been granted consent or approved at this time. It will be required to work through the usual rigorous and wide-reaching assessment processes.

Scottish Enterprise has no role in consenting projects of this type.

As guidance, our understanding is that work is underway to prepare information for consent applications.
This follows engagement OSG has undertaken with key statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, including Scottish Government Marine Directorate Licencing Operations team and Nature Scot, to understand the data needed to develop a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment.

A formal scoping request document is being prepared and is expected to be submitted in early 2026.

It is our understanding that OSG has engaged extensively with key stakeholders, as noted. Scottish Enterprise does not hold records of these engagements because we were not present, but we are aware of the activity through regular project updates.

The project has not been granted consent or approved at this time.

A key part of moving the project forward is ongoing engagement with stakeholder bodies and statutory consultees. This is needed to confirm licensing and environmental requirements for temporary storage sites; identify risks, and define the environmental assessments required to support the consenting process. This is underway.

The formal licensing process also includes a series of public consultations with the local community. These are planned and will occur as the technical specifications of the development are confirmed, so they can be carried out on a fully informed basis.

Scottish Enterprise does not have any role in the licensing or consenting process.

Scottish Enterprise has no role in the licensing or consenting process and as such will not attend this meeting.
The meeting has been arranged and will be hosted by Tim Eagle MSP. It is our understanding that Crown Estate Scotland plans to attend as the owner of the relevant seabed areas.

As guidance, we have also attached a fact sheet, produced by Offshore Solutions Group, that you may also find useful. By scanning the QR code in that document you can share your views directly with OSG and register for regular updates on the status of the project.