TRADE body Scottish Renewables recently produced a report from the Fraser of Allander Institute, which is part of Strathclyde University, titled ‘The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Renewable Energy Sector’.

Central to any strategy in mitigating climate changes is the use of renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy is also being increasingly recognised as an opportunity for economic development and we have amazing opportunities to seize in East Lothian.

Despite this, we have little understanding of the relationship between renewables and the Scottish economy.

The report finds Scotland’s renewables sector has a turnover of £2.8 billion and 6,440 full-time equivalent employment.

Yet the true impact of the renewable sector on the economy is far greater than its turnover and direct employment.

Renewable technologies require goods and services to produce, and so support output and employment throughout its supply chain.

And the employees supported directly and through the supply chain gain wages which they spend on firms across the Scottish economy, generating further output and employment.

The report finds that Scotland’s renewable activities support £5.2bn of output, £2.3bn of GVA and 22,660 full-time equivalent employment in the Scottish economy.

A significant amount of the FTE employment was supported by onshore wind (8,780), offshore wind (4,700), hydropower (3,290), bioenergy (2,630) and renewable heat (2,390)

I’ve been in discussions with various offshore wind providers in the past few weeks; what’s very clear is that East Lothian is ideally placed to benefit from growth in the renewables sector, particularly offshore wind.

I am organising a local task group to look at opportunities around manufacturing, ongoing maintenance, and support sectors.

This will include the providers, council, skills agencies and colleges and universities.