Report highlights potential of isles renewable industry

Work is still needed to ensure that Orkney and Shetland can be a national and international leader in renewable energy, according to Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

His comments come after an independent report, commissioned by Scottish Renewables found that 11,695 people are currently in full-time employment in the Scottish renewable sector, with 12 per cent of this – 1,459 – in the Highlands and Islands alone, making the region the top employer.

The report also found that the industry had experienced year-on-year growth of five per cent.

Mr Carmichael said: “The importance of the renewable energy sector to the economies of Orkney and Shetland now and in the future has never been clearer.

“Local developers have highlighted the challenges that they still face including strike pricing and grid access. I am working with ministerial colleagues in government to ensure that challenges such as grid connections are met. I am hopeful that we can iron out the remaining issues to ensure that renewable developers are not unfairly penalised in the isles.”