Employment in renewables sees 5% growth in a year

A new report has found record numbers of people are now employed in the renewable energy sector in Scotland.

Scottish Renewables commissioned independent researchers to survey more than 540 companies. in what is the most comprehensive study to date. The findings suggest 11,695 people are currently in full-time employment, an increase of 5% from the previous year's study.

Joss Blamire, senior policy manager for Scottish Renewables, which represents more than 330 organisations working in the industry, says: 'These latest figures show the renewables industry has seen steady growth in the number of people being employed despite an uncertain year.'

This represents a higher rate of growth in employment when compared to the Scottish economy as a whole.

The survey also found that onshore wind (39%), offshore wind (21%), marine and bioenergy (both 9%) the most notable sources of employment.

Of those companies surveyed, more than half (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.

However, Blamire warned that the industry could not afford to become complacent after 'the survey also found that market reforms in the electricity sector, planning issues and connecting projects to the grid were all cited as potential barriers that could get in the way of future growth'.