In a report entitled Re-energising Manufacturing: Industrial Policy for Renewables Manufacturing in Scotland, published on 4 November, think-tank New Economic Foundation urges the Scottish Government to do more to support domestic manufacturing in alignment with its industrial strategy devised for future renewable growth aspirations.
To ensure local communities reap the rewards of these renewable projects, the report recommends establishing a Scottish Energy Development Agency to work with the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), ensuring institutional alignment on green jobs across the sector. The SNIB should provide finance which underpins future manufacturing through investment in plants, skills and processes needed in supply chains. Moreover, it advises implementing the principles of the Just Transition into the remit of all agencies making decisions about renewables manufacturing.
New Economic Foundation also suggests expanding Scotland’s domestic renewable electricity targets to 200% of its needs by 2030, ensuring future increases in demand are met, and within this including sub-targets for specific sectors.
The report also suggests actively supporting Scottish industry to win contracts and investment for the future, and empowering localities and regions to set out financial plans for local industrial transformation around assets, skill and specialism
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