Thousands of new jobs in the renewable energy sector are likely to be created in the next ten years according to Scottish Renewables.
The offshore wind sector in particular will create up to 28,000 new positions by 2020, the firm said. These jobs will contribute investment worth £7.1 billion into the UK economy. Additionally, a further 20,000 jobs could be created by related industries.
Scottish Renewables director of policy, Jenny Hogan, said that firms like BiFab and Subocean have already created significant employment opportunities but research shows that offshore wind could become a major employer by 2020.
However this should not be taken for granted. In order to succeed there needs to be a strategic investment in skills provision as well as grid and port facilities. Without this, Scotland may only be able to develop a fraction of the sites they currently have on lease.
If that were to occur, job creation would be restricted to less than 1,000. Add to that the other UK and European companies who are currently fighting to secure investment and the economic advantages that will come with offshore manufacturing and related activities, and it becomes essential for Scotland to build on the current momentum if it wants to establish the country as a leading player in low carbon investment.
Meanwhile, UK businesses are becoming more confident about their future prospects. The CEO of the European Business Awards says that companies are waking up to new opportunities and seizing them. The firms most likely to be successful are those which identify new customers, not only at home, but overseas.
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