The number of workers in Scotland employed in the low carbon and renewables sector rose to 58,500 in 2015, up from an indicative 43,500 in 2014, the Scottish government said.
The low carbon and renewables sector generated turnover of £10.5bn, 14% of the total UK sector, the government said citing Office of National Statistics data.
Scotland represented 48% of all UK employment, and 53% of all UK turnover, in onshore wind, the government said.
In low carbon electricity generation, 33% of all UK employment and 28% of turnover is in Scotland.
Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse (pictured) said: “These are impressive figures that show how the Scottish government’s focus on decarbonising our energy system has not only allowed us to meet our climate change obligations, and to have done so early, but it has also significantly boosted the Scottish economy.”
Image: Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse (Scotrenewables)
Keep on top of breaking news with reNEWS Daily Alerts, straight to your inbox every morning at no charge. SIGN UP HERE