Energy consents: how to support or object to an application

When a new application for an electricity generating station considered to be EIA development is submitted to Scottish Ministers, the developer is required to advertise it on an application website, and with a public notice in the Edinburgh Gazette, one or more national newspapers, and in one or more local newspapers. 

The advert should state:

• that the application has been made, a description of the development, together with a description of the land to which it relates
• that the proposed development is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment
• where and when, and by what means, a copy of the application and associated EIA report can be inspected by members of the public, and the cost of obtaining a copy of the EIA report
• the date by which representations should be made as well as the address where these should be sent, and details of the arrangements by which any additional information will be publicised and consulted upon

Where a new application for an electricity generating station which is not considered to be EIA development is submitted to Scottish Ministers, the developer is required to advertise it with a public notice in the Edinburgh Gazette, one or more national newspapers, and in one or more local newspapers unless the Scottish Ministers direct otherwise. Such a notice should describe, by reference to a map, the land to which the application relates, and name a place within the locality in which such land is situated where the map may be inspected.

Any representations regarding an application should be made to the Scottish Government at the following addresses:

Onshore applications exceeding 50 MW

Where applications are for electricity generating stations in excess of 50 megawatts (MW) installed capacity, for overhead power lines and associated infrastructure, or for large gas and oil pipelines, contact us:

• via email: representations@gov.scot
• by writing to: 

Energy Consents Unit
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU

Offshore applications exceeding 1MW

Where applications are in excess of 1MW for offshore wind farms and wave or tidal electricity generating devices, contact Marine Scotland:

• via email: ms.marinelicensing@gov.scot
• by telephone: +44 (0)1224 295579
• by writing to:

Marine Scotland
Licensing Operations Team
375 Victoria Road
Aberdeen
AB11 9DB

Applications below these thresholds

Any applications below these thresholds are made to the local planning authority, who should be contacted regarding any enquiries on how to make a representation.

Find the relevant planning authority on mygov.scot.

Representation requirements

In your representation to the Scottish Government, you should identify the proposal and specify the grounds for representation. Representations should be dated and should clearly state the name (in block capitals) and full return email or postal address of those making the representation.

If additional environmental information regarding an application is received from the applicant, all previous representations received in relation to this development remain valid.

We are unable to hold representations in advance of an application being submitted. Representations will only be retained and given weight when received following the submission of an application where the final design and environmental information is before Ministers and the public.

A privacy notice explains how personal information is processed by the Energy Consents Unit.

Marine Scotland also has its own privacy notice.