Onshore Wind: Massive Job Losses in the UK

This means, more than 2,000 jobs were lost in Scotland’s onshore wind energy sector alone between 2016 and 2017, as new statistics by the Government show. The losses – a 29% year-on-year reduction – reflect a UK Government decision to lock onshore wind projects out of the energy market in 2015.

While the solar and low-carbon heat sector also mourn losses, the offshore wind sector saw a 55% employment increase from 2,200 to 3,400 roles, while energy from waste and biomass jobs also increased by 75%, from 1,200 to 2,100.

Jenny Hogan, Deputy Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, said: “Industry has repeatedly warned the UK Government that locking our cheapest forms of electricity generation – onshore wind and large-scale solar PV – out of the energy market would cost jobs. Those predictions have now been thrown into stark relief by the Government’s own figures. 2,400 jobs have been lost in an industry which is bringing enormous social, economic and environmental benefits to Scotland and providing skilled jobs and investment to some of the most remote parts of the country.

“While employment has grown in other parts of the renewables sector which have seen continued government support, the impact on onshore wind and solar jobs shows the cost of not supporting the industry as a whole. We urge the UK Government to recognise these implications and remove the barriers preventing these technologies from competing in the energy market and enable Scotland to harness more of the tangible benefits which renewables are already bringing.”