The Scottish Government has prepared Regional Locational Guidance to facilitate the development of offshore wave energy Scottish Waters. The Guidance gives consideration to detailed environmental, technical and socio-economic and planning issues in relation to the offshore renewable energy regions of Scotland. Regional Locational Guidance will be used:

• To provide detailed information in relation to the Areas of Search identified in the 2012 Scoping Report for Wave Energy Developments in Scottish Waters
• To identify suitable options for inclusion in the sectoral marine planning process.
• To inform key stakeholders and other interested parties of the key regional issues in relation to developing offshore wave energy in Scottish Waters
• To inform the process for determining marine license applications to develop offshore renewable energy in Scottish Waters