Renewable energy’s contribution to the economy of rural Scotland has been highlighted in a new publication by industry body Scottish Renewables.
The report reviews five economic studies carried out over the past three years and shows the “remarkable and undeniable” positive effects of the sustainable development of wind, hydropower and marine energy from Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Orkney in the north.
The report puts a spotlight on economic benefits including the 40 marine renewables-related businesses which have sprung up to service this cutting-edge sector in Orkney, currently employing around 200 people locally.
It also points out three wind farms and a hydropower station in Scotland’s Great Glen, built between 2012 and 2018, which will generate £1.2bn for Scotland’s economy over their lifetime, with £360m of that staying in the local area.
Meanwhile more than 90,000 overnight hotel stays in Caithness during the construction of a £970m, 70-mile undersea cable were worth an estimated £4.5m to the region.
The front page of the report features a map of Scotland shaded by the renewable energy generation capacity installed in local authority regions.
Scottish Renewables director of communications and strategy Nick Sharpe (pictured) said he hoped the short publication would act as a focal point for decision-makings on the future of renewables in rural Scotland.
He added: “Renewable energy already employs 17,700 people in Scotland, and we know that many of those jobs are in remote or rural areas where this type of sustainable development, leading to skilled, non-seasonal work, is badly needed.
“This report provides an easily-digested summary of five detailed studies carried out by our members in recent years. It shows the remarkable and undeniable breadth and depth of this industry’s positive impact on rural Scotland.