Breathy comments about growth in renewable energy job numbers in Scotland in recent days have created a misleading impression about the health of the sector, which has failed to deliver the boom the SNP Government hopes for.

Scottish Renewables hailed the results of research by academics published last month that suggested investors in windfarms and the like have been creating jobs in big numbers and hammered home claims the sector is the best hope for the country’s economy.

Amid claims that clean power will help Scotland achieve a just transition from dependence on fossil fuels, the trade body highlighted an academic study which concluded that the number of renewable energy jobs rose by 50% in one year.

The Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde found the industry supported more than 42,000 jobs in Scotland in 2021 compared with 27,000 in the preceding year. The totals include ‘direct’ employees, who work on renewables assets, and those in jobs across the wider supply chain.

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The fact the latest report highlighted a trend apparent three years ago may have led some people to treat the numbers with caution, especially given the caveats attached to the research.

Noting the findings were based on analysis of Office for National Statistics data, Fraser of Allander highlighted significant uncertainty in the underlying ONS survey of renewable activities. The institute said its results were “accompanied by a moderately large margin of error”, adding: “We caution against overinterpretation of the results in this report.”

Sector champions appeared to throw caution to the wind, however.

Hailing the report, Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack said: “The renewable energy industry is the biggest economic opportunity we have in Scotland so it is really encouraging to see the Fraser of Allander Institute’s report reflect the positive impact our sector is having on jobs and economic output.”

First minister Humza........

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