SCOTLAND’S onshore wind sector accounted for more than half of the UK’s turnover in the field in 2014, according to new figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Scotland generated £1.6 billion (55.9 per cent) compared to England (£905m), Northern Ireland (£189m) and Wales (£150m). However, although onshore wind turnover was higher in Scotland, the total number of full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the sector was lower than in England. This was mainly due to the high amount of electricity generation from onshore wind in Scotland, which has an infrastructure that needs fewer employees. Lang Banks, director of environmental charity WWF Scotland, told The National: “These figures underline the importance of onshore wind to Scotland, both in terms of our economy and in creating jobs. “However, if we are to enjoy all the benefits that would come from an entirely renewable power sector we need to see a clear energy strategy from [the] next Scottish Government that gets behind this inevitable transition away from thermal power. By adopting a strategy that majors on flexibility, demand reduction and storage, Scotland could become the EU’s first fully renewable electricity nation by 2030. “With opinion polling showing that over 70 per cent of people see clear economic benefits from renewable energy, it’s clear this is an approach that the public could get behind.”
The National 29th April 2016 read more »