The Scottish wind industry could grow by 231% by 2030 if onshore and offshore wind plans are realised, according to a new report.
Scottish Renewables third annual ‘Supply Chain Impact Statement’ report highlights 32 companies working across Scotland’s renewable energy industry, which employs 22,660 people.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack (pictured) said: “the potential future pipeline in Scotland has never been stronger.”
The report for the first time features suppliers working across all renewable technologies including offshore and onshore wind, hydro, wave and tidal as well as green hydrogen and low-carbon heat
Projects delivered over the past 12 months include Scotland’s first fifth-generation heating network, a pioneering zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell train project, multiple low-carbon transport hubs and the UK’s largest community-owned hydro scheme, the report said.
Mack said: “Renewable energy projects across Scotland deliver many benefits to our urban, rural and island communities, providing low-carbon heat, transport and electricity as well as creating employment opportunities for the people who live there.
“Scottish Renewables’ Supply Chain Impact report highlights the positive impact renewables projects can have and these case studies show that the strength of Scottish suppliers is being recognised not only in the Scottish market but globally.
“Both the onshore and offshore wind sectors, which provide so much of the economic benefit highlighted in this report, are pushing hard for huge growth, including from the 17 new offshore projects which came through the recent ScotWind Leasing round.
“That means the potential future pipeline of renewable energy projects in Scotland has never been stronger, and the time is now for both governments to work with industry to build on the successes highlighted in this statement by investing in innovation, infrastructure and technology to support supply chain development to make the most of these opportunities.
“Our native supply chain already boasts innovative start-ups and evolving established organisations which are working to create unique added value for green energy projects while also driving economic activity here in Scotland.
“The companies celebrated in the document demonstrate only a small proportion of the complex supplier network required to deploy net-zero technologies and there is increasing opportunity on the horizon for further supply chain growth.”