AUDITORS will examine the Scottish government’s ScotWind energy auction, amid claims that the £700 million raised has been squandered.

In June 2022, 17 leases to develop offshore wind around Scotland were auctioned off to companies such as Shell, BP and SSE Renewables, with the Scottish government stating that its proceeds would largely be spent on long-term capital projects.

However, its use to prop up everyday spending prompted Labour energy minister Michael Shanks in October 2024 to accuse the Scottish government of having “squandered” the fund.

Mr Shanks said: “It’s a significant amount of money that can’t be found again to plug day-to-day spending. It’s a missed opportunity.”

Now, in a statement to the Scotsman newspaper, financial watchdog Audit Scotland has confirmed it will examine ScotWind, stating: “We have started early scoping work on ScotWind and plan to report in Autumn 2026.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “We look forward to engaging with Audit Scotland.

“ScotWind revenues give us the flexibility to invest in long-term benefits for Scotland and to help strengthen the limited financial levers we currently have under the Fiscal Framework from the UK government.”