Most of Scotland’s renewables supply chain see clean power as the biggest economic opportunity facing Scotland, according to a new study.
In Scottish Renewables’ fourth edition of its Supply Chain Impact Statement 89% of renewable energy supply chain businesses said they think that renewable energy is the largest economic opportunity for Scotland, while 94% said they have invested in upskilling as a result of clean power opportunities.
In addition, 83% said they have recruited new employees as a result of opportunities in the renewable energy industry.
The Supply Chain Impact Statement is an annual showcase of the businesses and organisations working across Scotland’s flourishing renewable energy industry.
The statement highlights how Scotland’s supply chain, which stretches from the Borders to the islands, is using its expertise, skills and capabilities to deliver specialist work across all renewable energy technologies, including on and offshore wind, solar and energy storage.
This year’s Supply Chain Impact Statement features 45 companies and organisations.
They include Dundee-based Ace Aquatec, which develops products in the offshore marine sectors, Coast Renewable Services, which supplies trained personnel to wind farm projects for diagnostic, repair, maintenance, installation and inspection works as well as StorTera, an energy storage innovator aiming to develop a sustainable and low-cost large-scale battery.
Emma Harrick, Head of Energy Transition and Supply Chain at Scottish Renewables, said: “The Supply Chain Impact Statement gives us a real insight into how project developers are working closely and investing in the local supply chain, from innovative start-ups to established organisations, and how businesses are supporting a renewable energy industry that 89% consider to be the largest economic opportunity in Scotland.
“The businesses and organisations celebrated in the document demonstrate only a small proportion of the complex supplier network required to deploy net-zero technologies and there will be more and more opportunities for our supply chain to grow further as we build more renewable energy projects across Scotland.
“Our industry already supports more than 27,000 jobs and is worth £5.6bn to the Scottish economy.
“With almost 22,000 undergraduates studying renewables-related subjects it is clear that we are on the road to growing the specialist supply chain we will need to fulfil the future pipeline of renewable energy projects in Scotland.”
Scottish Renewables Supply Chain Impact Statement’s headline sponsor is SSE Renewables.
Jamie Maxton, Head of External Affairs at SSE Renewables, said: “As a national renewable energy champion, SSE Renewables is using the strength of our enviable 8GW-plus Scottish offshore construction and development pipeline.
“Along with partners at University of Strathclyde and National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, we’re also at the forefront of grasping the huge opportunities from the circular economy which could generate more than 20,000 jobs by 2035.”