More than 47,000 jobs supported by UK’s renewable energy industry
- Energy Box
- May 29
- 2 min read

Using the latest available data, the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde reports that offshore wind remains the leading renewable technology for job creation in Scotland,UK, supporting 19,580 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. Onshore wind follows with 16,865 jobs, while renewable heat accounts for 4,095 roles.
Offshore wind also generated the highest level of economic activity, contributing over £6.8 billion in output, followed by onshore wind at £6.4 billion and hydropower at £1.4 billion.
The report evaluated the economic footprint of Scotland’s renewable energy industry, highlighting its broader contributions through supply chain activities and domestic spending.
Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, stated:
“This latest report from the Fraser of Allander Institute offers vital insight into the economic value created by our members as we work towards a cleaner, more secure energy future. It reflects what we’ve observed across key projects like the Moray East offshore and Viking onshore wind farms during their development, construction, and operation.
“Our industry is working collaboratively with government to overcome these hurdles so that we can deliver more clean energy projects and create more sustainable jobs. Scotland is uniquely positioned to lead the UK’s clean power ambitions for 2030, meaning our renewable energy industry will continue to fuel economic growth across both Scotland and the wider UK.
“We call on both the UK and Scottish governments to invest in stronger data collection systems, enabling us to more accurately track the performance and impact of the renewables sector across the country.”
This marks the third report published jointly by Scottish Renewables and the Fraser of Allander Institute exploring the economic influence of renewable energy in Scotland.
In 2022, the global energy crisis accelerated demand for renewables but also introduced significant hurdles, including disrupted supply chains and increased material and operational costs. These factors boosted turnover and output, yet constrained growth in gross value added (GVA) and limited the creation of new FTE jobs.
Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, added:
“We’ve observed a substantial shift in the economic dynamics of the renewable energy sector in 2022, as more capacity moved from the construction phase into active power generation. These transitions alter the structure of the supply chains involved, a trend we expect will continue as the industry matures.
“The economic landscape for renewables is evolving and becoming more complex, as evidenced by the compressed GVA last year. Policymakers must maintain a focus on fostering a competitive environment for clean energy to fully realize the economic advantages of the energy transition.
“We’ll be continuing our collaboration with Scottish Renewables into 2025 and 2026 to refine data insights, including producing a consistent time series. Stay tuned for our next major update in early 2026.”
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