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I can confirm that Offshore Solutions Group sought a screening opinion, from the Scottish Ministers which is currently undergoing statutory consultation in line with the environmental impact assessment regulations, including with Historic Environment Scotland. Following, and in consideration of the representations received, Scottish Ministers will determine whether or not a marine licence application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report. This decision is based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment. To maintain the integrity of our well-established marine licensing process, it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment further on live casework.

Any application for a marine licence would be accompanied by environmental information to enable consideration of likely effects on the environment (including the historic environment). This would then be subject to public consultation and a range of statutory and non-statutory consultees including Historic Environment Scotland would be invited to make representations on the application. All representations made to Scottish Ministers are considered during the decision-making process.

Planning associated with the security of fuel and energy supplies is a reserved matter. It is for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the adequacy of gas storage for Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. We remain in close contact with the UK Government on these matters.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44226 on 25 March 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Security of supply for gas and electricity is a matter reserved to the UK Government and is delivered by the National Electricity System Operator (NESO) across the whole of GB, under regulation from Ofgem. As we transition to a net zero energy system and reduce our dependence on fossil fuel generation, long-duration energy storage technologies, including pumped hydro storage, will play a larger role in ensuring a secure and resilient electricity system by providing a reliable and flexible electricity supply.

With regards to any specific projects that may require planning approval, Ministers cannot comment.

Responsibility for assessing security of supply rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator, as a reserved matter. Balancing of the grid including determining relevant costs is also a reserved matter.

The Scottish Government is confident that NESO, as the body responsible for system operability, will ensure that grid stability and security of supply are maintained as the energy system transitions.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with NESO colleagues to discuss relevant issues including security of supply as required.

Following the consultation on the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP), the Scottish Government stated in September 2023 that it would publish the final version by Summer 2024. However, since then there have been significant changes in the energy sector.

The judgements and issues in the ESJTP are informed and influenced by ongoing developments in the UK Government’s energy policy and by recent court decisions. We are taking sufficient time to analyse and reflect on those developments and their impact on Scotland. The Scottish Government has published many policy decisions on energy, setting out a clear policy approach.

Long duration electricity storage, such as pumped hydro storage, plays a vital role in providing flexibility services to the grid and ensuring a resilient electricity system.

There is currently 0.74 GW of pumped hydro storage operational in Scotland, with 4.79 GW awaiting construction and 4.20 GW awaiting a planning decision. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to estimate when projects will become operational as these are commercial decisions.

We have co-commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for Great Britain to provide greater clarity on the shape of our future energy system.

Planning associated with the security of fuel and energy supplies is a reserved matter and it is for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the sufficiency of gas storage for Scotland and the rest of Great Britain. We remain in close contact with the UK Government on these matters.

It is a matter for the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to assess the sufficiency of gas storage in the UK. However, some reporting on this issue has been misleading and inaccurate. In addition to stored capacity the UK benefits from domestically produced gas; a direct pipeline supply from Norway; and large LNG import facilities.