New research shows Scots renewable firms have expanded to Japan, USA, Canada, Jamaica, Finland, Kenya and others in recent years.
RESEARCH by Scottish Renewables has shown Scottish companies in the sector have now expanded their operations to 43 countries.
Charities such as World Wildlife Scotland (WWF) have expressed excitement at the news that these companies have completed deals worth more than £125m over the last 5 years.
They have argued for the Scottish Government to step-up support for these businesses to ensure both an increase in jobs and in efforts against climate change.
“Scottish green energy engineering skills are in demand from South Africa to Norway.” Jenny Hogan
In response to the report, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “It's amazing to learn that Scotland's renewables expertise is being sought globally by so many countries. We should be rightly proud of what these companies are helping achieve, both at home and abroad, by creating jobs and addressing global climate change.
“This achievement underlines the importance of good political leadership and the setting of strong targets. If Scotland wishes to continue to create even more jobs and economic opportunities in renewables then our politicians must continue to lead and think big.”
WWF Scotland has praised the Scottish Government’s past commitments to tackling climate change but have this summer been urging them to invest and support a new green indutrial and electrical revoltuon for home and abroad.
The research by Scottish Renewables highlights companies such as Ayrshire business Windhoist which has been building and lifting wind turbines in Morocco and Glasgow’s own Star Renewable Energy, which has installed a heat pump system in Drammen, Norway, now providing warmth for the city’s 63,000 people and businesses. Other projects include Scottish firms advising the governments of Japan and South Africa and working with the World Bank on renewable and ethical investment in Chile.
“If Scotland wishes to continue to create even more jobs and economic opportunities in renewables then our politicians must continue to lead and think big.” Lang Banks
Jenny Hogan, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said: “This research clearly shows that Scotland’s expertise in renewable energy is in demand around the world.
“The stretching targets set in Scotland have meant our home-grown green energy industry has developed skills which are in demand on every inhabited continent, bringing investment and income to Scotland from across the world.
“Scottish green energy engineering skills are in demand from South Africa to Norway while our environmental, planning and technical know-how is being used in Colombia, Canada, China and many other countries.”
Charities have called on the Scottish Government to transform this new potential of renewable energy and engineering skill into a 50 per cent reduction of emissions by 2030 at home. They argue that the transformation of transport to electrically run vehicles- as well as an increase in electrical car use and charging points would boost jobs and the fight against climate change.
Picture courtesy of Windhoist
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