The success of a newly launched one-stop global recruitment service for the renewable energy industry www.greenenergyjobs.com demonstrates that Scottish companies who are willing to invest in renewable energy now can expect to become key international players.

Within a month of going live greenenergyjobs.com, which was set up by e-recruitment firm Latitude 56 Ltd, secured some of the largest operators in the industry as clients. Latitude 56, located in Ardfern in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland, has proven that a rural location need not be a barrier to success on global playing field.

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) ethos - that it is possible for companies located in rural areas to create international e-businesses using broadband technology - is well founded.  Latitude 56 received assistance from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the HIE network, to install a broadband satellite system at their 'green' office which is off-grid and wind-powered.

HIE and AIE have already supported green energy projects in the Argyll area and the region's west coast is rapidly consolidating its reputation as a rural cluster for cutting edge developments in the renewable energy field.

What ever the Earth Summit achieves, it will shine increased attention onto the key importance of renewable energy and add weight to international agreements such as the Kyoto protocol.

Co-founder of Latitude 56 and the greenenergy.com website editor is David Clough.  He explained: "Renewable energy is the future.  Some wind power operators have been experiencing growth that makes Edinburgh property prices seem almost static.

"As it grows further there will be fierce competition for skills in the renewable energy market. Even some governments are beginning to consider the possible impact that a potential skills shortage will bring if they want to be able to take advantage of the future boom in green energy technologies."

David, an ecologist turned e-recruiter has lived and worked off-grid for the last five years.  "I can communicate with my colleagues and clients as easily as anyone in the city, but have the benefit of the peace and quite of living and working a mile away from the nearest road," he said.

David's brother and business partner Paul is the site's webmaster.  He said: "Our business approach has grown from our deep ecological ethics.  I am now able to manage a global e-business as well as anyone in Silicon Valley but in a sustainable fashion from a rural location.  No commuting and no emissions.

"This is a business model which I believe will catch on.  If costs are reduced by not needing expensive offices or having to live in expensive commuting districts of major cities, the business does not need to be so big before it generates sufficient revenues to break even, with the added bonus of massively reducing environmental costs to the planet."

AIE's e-business advisor Paul O'Brien has worked closely with the company.  He said: "David and Paul's achievements with Latitude 56 dispel the belief that you have to be in the heart of a city to reap the benefits of e-commerce and broadband communications. Their unique site will help focus more attention on Argyll as a centre of excellence in the blossoming renewable energy field."

At present, www.greenenergyjobs.com networks the following renewable energy job sites:

www.solarpowerjobs.com
www.hydrogenjobs.com
www.windpowerjobs.com
www.hydropowerjobs.com
www.tidalpowerjobs.com
www.wavepowerjobs.com