The offshore renewables sector is pointing the finger at both delays in licensing and uncertainly over continued publically-funded incentives.
With regards to licensing, the SFF is warning against any political distortion of the necessary timescales, given the complexities of the planning process and the need to recognise the legitimate activities of other marine stakeholders such as the fishing industry.
Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive said: "To ensure protection of existing sustainable use of the seas, there must be no favoured treatment by the Scottish government of renewables development over the already established activity of sustainable fishing. The licensing process, by necessity, takes time, demands an even hand, and is incredibly complicated. It is vital that the fishing industry continues to be credibly supported and is not sequentially displaced."
