Renewables in the Scottish Highlands and Islands

The Highlands and Islands not only has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, but also some of the most diverse, in what is a relatively small geographic area.

Opportunities exist for a very broad range of renewable energy projects – from small scale community-owned developments to large scale commercial projects. Businesses and local communities all have the chance to get involved and ‘do their bit’ in carbon reduction.

The Highlands and Islands boast extensive wind, wave and tidal energy regimes, and substantial forestry ripe for biomass processing.

There is a desire to build a diverse renewable energy sector in the Highlands and Islands. Envisioned is a strong, mixed renewable energy economy that exploits onshore wind power but also supports the development of marine energy devices, biomass, and deepwater offshore wind farms.

Strong foundations are already in place to make this happen in the Highlands and Islands. The region is home to world-leading developments such as the European Marine Energy Centre for testing of wave and tidal devices, manufacturing facilities such as those in Argyll where Vestas, the largest wind turbine maker in the world, has set up a production base. There are countless other businesses across the Highlands and Islands also active, including electrical installers, crane hire, haulage, civil engineering, environmental consultants and many others.

For further information on the region's businesses active in the renewable energy sector follow our key links.  

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