Wind energy has been championed over the last few years as a safe and renewable energy option. Replacing electricity generated by fossil fuel power stations, can lead to a reduction in carbon emissions heading towards Scotland’s Net Zero commitment for 2045.
Wind energy is generally created through two methods: onshore and offshore wind farms. Due to stronger and more consistent wind speeds, offshore wind farms can generate more electricity and at a more constant rate than onshore farms. There are two types of offshore wind farms, fixed and floating, and the industry is moving towards floating as there is less disruption to marine environments.
Excess energy created can be stored for periods of lower wind or higher demand. Currently there are a range of storage options available such as, batteries, pumped heat storage, hydro, super capacitors, etc.
Gillian Martin, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, stated: "Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition." in an announcement regarding funding for community renewable energy projects in Public Sector Executive, October 2025.
Community groups in locations such as Fintry in Stirlingshire, who already own one of the 15 turbines on a wind farm near the village are looking to expand this further.
Research is currently taking place studying the life cycle of wind farms and this will help to improve their environmental impact by enhancing the materials used to construct them and long-term maintenance. One of the key areas to be developed further is the manufacturing and recycling of low-carbon steel and recyclable composites for blades.
There has also been public concern over wind farms regarding noise pollution, locations and its possible effect on surrounding environment and people living nearby.
Research investigating wildlife, in particular birds and bats through collision, disturbance, or habitat damage is also ongoing. Another issue to be resolved is that they shut down the wind farms when the wind is too strong (typically around 55 mph/25 m/s) and change over to diesel power when wind is low.
Developing wind energy, in combination with a wide range of other renewable energy technologies, such as wave, hydrogen, tidal, hydro and solar, could help to meet Scotland’s electricity needs.
This section provides examples of a research, teaching or innovation taking place at Robert Gordon University related to this topic.
RGU analysis indicates that over 90% of the UK's oil and gas workforce have medium to high transferability to the offshore renewables sector. Find out more in the RGU Energy Transition Institute report, ‘Powering up the Workforce: The Future of the UK Offshore Energy Workforce’ (2023), which explores the options.
This research project led by Dr Ruby Roberts, Chancellor’s Fellow of Industrial Psychology, Aberdeen Business School, looks at supporting a safe and efficient offshore wind industry. Utilising human factors (HF) research, that recognises the factors that impact peoples' performance in the workplace, has been a valuable safety management and training approach in similar sectors. Yet, there is a limited understanding of the HF in offshore wind. She is currently leading a five-year programme of HF research in wind energy to address this gap, aimed at supporting training standards, operator competence, and industry safety.