Scottish Renewables commissioned independent researchers to survey more than 540 companies for its 2013 "Employment in Renewable Energy Scotland" report.
Following are some highlights of the report:
- 11,695 people are currently in full-time employment, an increase of 5% from the previous year’s study.
- Glasgow, the Lothians, Highlands & Islands and the North East topped the list of regions employing the most people
- Onshore wind (39%), offshore wind (21%), marine and bioenergy (both 9%) were the most notable sources of employment.
- More than half of companies surveyed (54%) said they would be looking to employ even more people in the next 12 months, with a further 42% saying their employment would stay the same and only 1.6% expecting it to decrease.
“The breadth of job opportunities for project managers, ecologists and engineers has led to a wide range of people seeing renewable energy as a sector where they can use their skills and training," said Joss Blamire, senior policy manager for Scottish Renewables, which represents more than 330 organisations working in the industry. "These latest figures show the renewables industry has seen steady growth in the number of people being employed despite an uncertain year."
At the same time, Blamire warned against complacency regarding the newly released findings. That same research, he said, shows that market reforms in the electricity sector, planning issues and connecting projects to the grid are still potential barriers that could get in the way of future growth of renewables.
"We cannot become complacent over these positive job numbers when such considerable threats are on the horizon," Blamire explained. "“As the New Year gets under way the renewable energy sector in Scotland will be looking at how it can overcome these barriers to secure even more jobs and further investment as well as reduce emissions from our energy sector over the next 12 months.”
View the full 12-page "Employment in Renewable Energy in Scotland 2013" report online.