Whether it will carry out assessments of new shareholders of ScotWind projects for developer information, such as their capability, experie…

Seabed leasing for offshore wind is administered by Crown Estate Scotland. Crown Estate Scotland appraises lease applications as part of its internal assessment and due diligence process to confirm developer suitability, experience and financial strength, only making awards to organisations that satisfy this assessment process. As part of this process companies must provide a written statement to Crown Estate Scotland to confirm they have not been convicted of unlawful activity, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and human trafficking and exploitation, within the last five years. The criteria underpinning this assessment process is published for the purposes of transparency and accountability.For the ScotWind leasing round, Crown Estate Scotland required a statement of commitment from each applicant and any project partners confirming that they are not, and have not been, in contravention of a range of legislation, including sanction regimes. This requirement safeguarded against the successful participation of companies convicted of unlawful conduct either within the UK or internationally, including unlawful conduct in relation to ecologically damaging developments. In terms of ScotWind, companies that have proposed a change in ownership or structure following the award of a lease option agreement, Crown Estate Scotland undertakes a review of any incoming party to ensure they have the required capability, financial standing and have provided a duly signed statement of commitment, before consent to such a change in the project is granted.Crown Estate Scotland also has responsibilities under the Scottish Government’s Slavery and Human trafficking statement and follow guidance on due diligence in relation to human rights.Crown Estate Scotland are committed to taking all appropriate action to prevent the Scottish seabed from being used by any company that does not meet its terms of lease.Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to void any application (or terminate agreement) in relation to ScotWind, or other developments which is found to have provided false information.