Scotland’s renewable energy industry and its extensive supply chain supported over 47,000 jobs and generated £15.5 billion in output in 2022, according to new figures released today (May 29) by the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute.

The report, which utilises the latest available data to provide a snapshot of the industry's economic impact, reveals that offshore wind continues to be the largest employer within the Scottish renewables sector, supporting 19,580 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. Onshore wind followed closely, supporting 16,865 FTE roles, while renewable heat accounted for 4,095 positions.

In terms of economic activity, offshore wind also led the way, generating more than £6.8bn in output across the Scottish economy. Onshore wind contributed £6.4bn, and hydropower generated £1.4bn.

The Fraser of Allander Institute's report assessed the economic impact, including supply chain activity and spending within Scotland. It noted that due to a lack of detailed official data, the 2022 results should be viewed as a standalone snapshot rather than part of a continuous trend, though they nonetheless demonstrate the industry's strong economic performance.

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Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, commented: "This report from the Fraser of Allander Institute offers an important snapshot of the economic value our members are creating as we move toward a future powered by clean, home-grown renewable energy. It reflects what we know about the activity in the industry through the development, construction and operation of major projects such as the Moray East offshore and Viking onshore windfarms."

Mack acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry in 2022, including supply chain disruptions and rising input costs exacerbated by the global energy crisis. While these factors boosted turnover and output, they also constrained growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) and job creation. She added: "Our industry is working closely with government to tackle these challenges in order to build more projects and build our future jobs. Scotland is set to play a key role in achieving the UK’s clean power goal for 2030 meaning that Scotland’s renewable energy industry will continue to drive growth and employment across the Scottish and UK economy."

Scottish Renewables urged both the UK and Scottish governments to enable more robust data collection to continuously track the industry's performance and its contribution to economic growth.

Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, noted the significant shift in economic activity as more capacity comes online and transitions from construction to generation. She highlighted the changing and more challenging economics of the industry, particularly the squeezed GVA in 2022. "Policymakers must continue to focus on creating competitive conditions for renewable energy to ensure we reap the economic benefits of the energy transition," Professor Spowage stated. The Institute will be working with Scottish Renewables in 2025 and 2026 to produce improved data outputs, including a consistent time series, with the next update expected in early 2026.