Jobs in UK wind energy climb by 70% in three years

The number of people working in the UK wind industry has risen to 9,900 up from 6,600 by 2010 – a climb of 70% – new research shows.

“When indirect employment is included, the report shows a total of 34,300 people rely on industries that barely existed a decade ago, a figure that researchers say could jump to 70,000 over the next decade”, said the Financial Times, reporting on the independent study, ‘Working for a Green Britain and Northern Ireland’.

It also reveals the areas of the country where the most wind energy jobs are to be found are often those with high unemployment rates.

Wind energy in Europe provides 250,000 jobs, contributes over €32 billion to the EU’s economy a year, and avoids nearly €6 billion in fossil fuel imports.

The study was commissioned by RenewableUK and the Energy & Utility Skills body.

Read the study: http://www.renewableuk.com/en/publications/index.cfm/working-green-britain#sthash.iFv1eh8q.dpuf

 

By Sarah Azau, http://www.ewea.org/blog/