Offshore Wind
Scotland is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in offshore wind. More than 3GW of offshore wind capacity is already installed in Scottish waters, with a further 7GW in the late stages of development.
Upcoming projects, including ScotWind and INTOG (Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas), are set to add an additional 35.4GW of offshore wind energy to the grid. By 2050, offshore wind is expected to generate around 50% of Scotland’s total renewable energy output.
What Does That Mean for the Job Market in Scotland?
Between 2024 and 2029, the offshore wind sector’s workforce is expected to grow from around 9,000 to more than 40,000, according to Opergy’s Energy Skills Intelligence Hub.
This increase creates significant employment opportunities for people starting their careers, with demand for a wide range of skills increasing sharply. It also offers a pathway for experienced workers to retrain and transition into a fast‑growing, future‑focused sector.
By 2050, offshore wind is expected to generate around 50% of Scotland’s total renewable energy output.
Between 2024 and 2029, the offshore wind sector’s workforce is expected to grow from around 9,000 to more than 40,000.
Entry-level technician positions can start from £32,000 per year.
With over 10 years of project pipelines and active lifetimes of over 20 years, offshore wind farms are offering generational job opportunities.
Job Roles in Offshore Wind
The following jobs have been identified by Skills Development Scotland as critical skills gaps in the offshore wind industry.
Manufacturing (Example layout)
While most of the wind turbine components are manufactured outside the UK, there are eleven key job roles available that support manufacturing of some components and turbine foundations.
• Manufacturing Manager
• Production Supervisor
• Coating Technician
• Blasting Technician
• CNC Machinist
• Laser Operator
• Jointing Operative
• Welder
• Plater
• NDT Inspector
• Quality Controller