Scotland’s renewable energy industry supported an estimated 49,200 full-time equivalent jobs and $14.9 billion of economic output in 2024, new research shows.
The independent report by the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, commissioned by Scottish Renewables, also found the industry supported $5.1 billion of gross value added (GVA), underlining its role as a major driver of Scotland’s economy.
Ahead of the Autumn Budget today (October 28), Scottish Renewables is calling on the UK Government to remove barriers to investment and put renewable energy at the heart of its plans for economic growth and industrialization.
The report finds that offshore wind supported the most employment of any renewable energy technology in 2024, with an estimated 18,800 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs across Scotland. Onshore wind supported 17,825 FTE jobs, followed by hydropower with 4,100 and renewable heat with 3,025.
Key Developments During 2023-24 Included:
- South Kyle Wind Farm opened in 2023, generating £44 million in local spending and an expected £38 million in lifetime community benefits.
- Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, became fully operational in 2023. The £3 billion project supports around 80 direct jobs at Montrose Port.
- Sumitomo Electric began construction in 2024 on a £350 million subsea cable factory at Nigg, expected to support around 250 direct jobs.
- Coire Glas completed £100 million of exploratory works in 2024. If built, it would be the UK’s first major pumped storage hydro scheme in more than 40 years.
Angela Hepworth, CEO of Scottish Renewables, said:
"Scotland’s renewable energy industry is a major engine of economic growth, supporting nearly 50,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion of output. From construction to operation and maintenance, it supports businesses, livelihoods and communities across the country."
"On Autumn Budget day, these figures show why renewable energy must be at the heart of any serious plan for growth, strengthening energy security, driving reindustrialization and attracting investment to Scotland."
"With much of the energy transition funded by private investment, both governments need to give businesses confidence to commit. The UK Government must back Scotland’s pipeline in its strategic energy plans and ensure projects can compete in future auctions, while the Scottish Government must speed up planning decisions."
"While these results are encouraging, there is no room for complacency. Scotland has more potential to unlock and certainty will be essential to future growth. We thank the Fraser of Allander Institute for its valuable work to improve the data and deepen our understanding of the industry’s economic contribution."
The benefits extend throughout the economy, supporting jobs in construction, manufacturing and professional services, as well as local businesses. The figures capture activity within the industry, throughout its supply chains and through workers spending their wages.
Stuart McIntyre, Professor of Economics and Head of the Economics Department at the University of Strathclyde, added:
"This latest report highlights that Scotland’s renewable energy sector contributes much more than the energy it generates. Its economic impact extends across a wide range of industries, supporting jobs, businesses and supply chains throughout the country."
"Renewables have an important role to play alongside other technologies in delivering a secure, affordable and increasingly low-carbon energy system. There is also a significant opportunity for Scotland to capture more of the economic benefits associated with investment in the sector, but this will depend on having the right skills, infrastructure and supply chains in place."
"Improving the availability of Scotland-specific data will be essential to understanding the sector’s contribution and ensuring that future policy and investment decisions are informed by robust evidence."
The report covers both 2023 and 2024. Researchers combined Office for National Statistics survey data with a model of the Scottish economy because renewable energy is not separately identified in the National Accounts.
The findings provide a picture of the industry’s economic contribution in each year, rather than a measure of year-on-year growth. Survey uncertainty, revisions to official data and an updated economic model mean the results should also not be compared directly with previous editions.