Renewable Energy’s Rural Impacts

This report is an easily-accessible review of five economic studies carried out over the past three years.

It shows the “remarkable an undeniable” positive effects of the sustainable development of wind, hydro power and marine energy deployment from Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Orkney in the north.

Highlights include:

• The 40 marine renewables-related businesses which have sprung up to service this cutting-edge sector in Orkney, currently employing around 200 people locally.
• Three wind farms and a hydropower station in the Great Glen, built between 2012 and 2018, will generate £1.2 billion for Scotland’s economy over their lifetime, with £360 million of that staying in the local area.
• More than 90,000 overnight hotel stays in Caithness during the construction of a £970 million, 70-mile undersea cable - worth an estimated £4.5 million to the region.