The energy sector plays a vital role in the Scottish economy and is increasingly providing a platform for innovation to grow the economy and create jobs. Careers in Energy are on the rise in Scotland and these jobs represent an exciting opportunity for our young people.
To give you a window into energy career pathways, we’ve pulled together some of the key websites, facts and reports into one place.
Facts
- 154,000 UK jobs at present in offshore energy
- 79,000 offshore energy jobs in Scotland
- 120,000 remain in oil and gas
- 34,000 in renewables
- In the first quarter of 2024, 10,722 GWh of electricity was generated from renewable sources, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
- 15.4 GW of renewable electricity operational capacity in Scotland – end of March 2024.
- There are 790 renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline.
- In 2022, 87.9% of electricity generated in Scotland was from low-carbon sources. 11.4% of Scotland’s electricity generation came from fossil fuels.
Key websites
Reports
- Scotland powers nearly half of UK’s wind energy milestone
- This 30GW of operational wind power is enough to supply electricity to over 26 million homes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes annually.
- Almost half of this – 48% – is being generated by Scotland’s offshore and onshore wind farms.
- Of this, Scotland‘s onshore wind farms, from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands, currently contribute 9.5GW.
- Offshore wind farms along Scotland’s coast currently provide 5GW of clean energy, with a target of 11GW by 2030.
- Scotland’s green energy suppliers provide services to renewable technologies including:
- Hydro
- Wave and tidal
- Offshore Wind
- Solar
- Heat
- Wind
- Hydrogen
- Storage
- Other
- Renewable and low carbon energy – gov.scot
- Scotland’s Renewable Energy Industry Supply Chain Impact Statement 2024
Resources
- Career Opportunities across Scotland in Offshore Wind – Skills Development Scotland
- The students at the heart of the green jobs boom
- GB Energy to be headquartered in Aberdeen
- First Minister opens new Ocean Winds base in Buckie
- Scotland on the right path to reach renewable energy potential
- Derelict Glasgow sites to be handed to residents to generate renewable energy
- Green hydrogen production – gov.scot
- Fast-tracking Scotland’s energy transition – gov.scot
