A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) suggests there were already 9.8 million people employed in the renewable energy sector in 2016. There is no Scottish breakdown. At the moment, there seem to be around 58 000 jobs in the low-carbon and renewable sector so there’s some way to go to replace the even the jobs lost by Scottish citizens in the fossil-fuel sector. The total is around 120 000 though we don’t know how many of these were paying taxes attributed to Scotland or even to the UK.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Facts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-36491937
According to IRENA:
‘Jobs in renewable energy could cancel out fossil fuel-job losses and become an economic driver by 2030, ..the organisation’s annual report showed more than 9.8 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector….renewables are directly supporting broader socio-economic objectives, with employment creation increasingly recognised as a central component of the global energy transition……As the scales continue to tip in favour of renewables, we expect that the number of people working in the renewables sector could reach 24 million by 2030, more than offsetting fossil-fuel job losses and becoming a major economic driver around the world.’
Is it hard to imagine that, out of 24 million globally, Scotland would not be able expect 100 000 or more? Surely our current progress, physical potential and expertise place us well to do so? See:
Scotland’s energy 100% renewable by 2030?
Taiwan comes to Scotland for offshore renewables inspiration
Once more Scottish energy expertise can be highly significant
I see no reason to be pessimistic.
http://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloads/Publications/IRENA_RE_Jobs_Annual_Review_2016.pdf
Talking-up Scotland 