Maree Todd wants north to ‘reap the benefits’ of increased renewables
Maree Todd has highlighted the need for Highland communities to "reap the benefits" of increased green energy generation.
She was speaking after a new report revealed that more than 42,000 jobs in Scotland are supported by the renewable industry and its supply chain.
Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute found that for the first time offshore wind is the renewable energy technology supporting the most employment across the Scottish economy, with just over 15,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles, while onshore wind supports more than 12,000 jobs. There are 7220 in the renewable heat category and just over 5600 jobs supported by hydro power.
Ms Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: "The report from the Fraser of Allander Institute highlighting the growth in renewable jobs across Scotland, and the significant economic opportunities, is very encouraging – particularly for my constituency and the wider Highlands.
“With ScotWind set to establish the Highlands as a global leader in offshore wind, and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport aiming to create 10,000 jobs, our impact on employment figures in the renewable sector will be substantial.
“I am keen to ensure there is an equal focus on community wealth building, as communities in my constituency must be able to reap the benefits from increased renewable energy generation.
"Community shared ownership models, for instance, would help empower local communities and allow for the benefits to be felt at a grassroots level.”
The report, entitled The Economic Impact of Scotland's Renewable Energy Sector, noted that Scotland’s renewable energy industry and its supply chain generated over £10 billion of output in 2021,
It stated: "We estimate that the renewable energy industry had a turnover of £6.1 billion and 13,600 FTE employment in 2021.
"However, the economic activity supported by the renewables sector is far greater than its own turnover and employment. The renewable energy sector supports economic activity throughout its supply chains and this economic activity supports wage spending across Scotland.
"Including these spillover effects, we estimate that the renewable energy industry supports over £10.1 billion of output, over £4.7 billion of GVA [gross value added] and over 42,000 FTE employment across the Scottish economy."
Trade body Scottish Renewables pointed out that the renewable energy sector is not currently defined in national statistics published by either the UK or Scottish governments, so the size of the sector has been estimated using data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is the biggest economic opportunity we have in Scotland so it is really encouraging to see the Fraser of Allander Institute’s report reflect the positive impact our sector is having on jobs and economic output.
“While our members continue to focus on delivering the projects we will need to meet our climate ambitions, as an industry we want to clearly demonstrate how we are benefiting not only Scotland’s economy but the UK economy as we transition to a net-zero future.
“To do this we urgently need much more robust data collection to understand how the renewable energy industry is performing and evolving across the UK."
Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said: “Renewable energy generation will be the foundation of any net-zero economy. Similarly, we also know how important renewable energy is to help secure energy security and reduce the harmful impacts of fuel poverty in the years to come.
“Our latest report shows the significant contribution that renewables make to Scotland's economy. These opportunities include the potential for technological development, new export markets and prosperity for rural parts of Scotland that may otherwise be left behind in the transition away from fossil fuels."
For the last three years, Scottish Renewables and the Fraser of Allander Institute have published annual reports on the economic impact of renewable energy in Scotland.
There has been a significant increase in the figures this year which can be attributed mainly to a surge in the ONS figures for offshore wind turnover in 2021.
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