THE Scottish Government have said ScotWind "will not support trade and investment activity with Russia" after the issue was raised in the Commons.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has also written an open letter to Scottish businesses and business organisations encouraging them to review links and connections to Russia and to cut those ties.
Shadow Scotland minister Liz Twist said that ministers must “ensure that Scotland’s wind is not being used to power Putin’s war”.
The Labour frontbencher said that ScotWind, the “largest offshore wind project in the world, has huge potential”, but added “we must also live up to our values”.
READ MORE: Experts defend ScotWind auction from 'selling Scotland short' accusations
Speaking during Commons Scotland questions, Twist said: “Our journey to net-zero is absolutely critical to saving our planet, but also because of its importance in weaning us off any reliance on Russian gas.
“ScotWind, the largest offshore wind project in the world, has huge potential but we must also live up to our values and ensure that Scotland’s wind is not being used to power Putin’s war.
“Will the Secretary of State ask Scottish ministers that an audit is conducted of ScotWind to guarantee no ill-gotten Russian money is part of its financing and ensure all successful contracts for difference are free of [Russian] involvement?”
Scotland Secretary Alister Jack (above) replied: “She makes a very fair point I have to say.
“ScotWind is a matter for the Scottish Government but I’m quite sure that they will be doing all they can to ensure that no Russian money is financing any of the successful contracts and on contracts for difference I know the UK Government’s also working to ensure that there’s no Russian money underpinning UK infrastructure.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: “The Scottish Government has sought urgent advice on the maximum possible action that can be taken, within our powers, against individuals and entities that are identified as having close links with the Russian regime.
"Whether they are currently on the United Kingdom sanctions list or not, options that will be examined include, but are not limited to, ending support from the public purse and freezing or seizing assets in Scotland, where that is possible.
“The Finance Secretary has written an open letter to Scottish businesses and business organisations encouraging them to review operations for links and connections to Russia—however indirect—and to sever those links."
The spokesperson added: "The Scottish Government and our economic agencies will not support trade and investment activity with Russia. The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport is reinforcing the same message in the meetings he is currently holding with all ScotWind consortia.
“ScotWind, the recent leasing round for commercial-scale offshore wind projects, is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who are responsible for completing the process of due diligence in line with relevant guidance.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon praises launch of 'world-first' floating windfarm centre
ScotWind announced last month that rights to 17 offshore wind projects off the Scottish coast were awarded to firms, with more than half of the expected energy generated coming from floating wind farms.
Experts have said the ScotWind auction will deliver cheaper energy bills for households and gives the opportunity to revitalise Scotland’s manufacturing sector.
But the sale was controversial because many of the companies were based outside Scotland. Fears have been raised Scottish taxpayers may have been short-changed.
Last month, Professor David Toke, a reader in energy policy at the University of Aberdeen, described the sale as a “brilliant thing to do”.
It comes as Keir Starmer urged Boris Johnson to implement a windfall tax on oil producers to help bring down energy costs, rather than seek more fossil fuels in the Middle East on his trip to Saudi Arabia.
READ MORE: Media barred from Boris Johnson's meeting with UAE Crown Prince
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