The Green Party today welcomed the findings of a study which revealed a 91 per cent rise in UK wind energy employment last year.
The rise is particularly welcome as unemployment figures soared by 3.4% over the same period (between 2007/8 and 2009/10) and look set to worsen during the economic downturn.
Andrew Cooper, Green Party spokesperson on energy and climate change, commented:
"This demonstrates the massive potential for carbon-reduction projects to bolster the UK's economy; restoring the manufacturing industry, creating large numbers of jobs and tackling climate change at the same time."
The study, published by industry body RenewableUK, predicts that offshore wind farm development, port refits and supply chain manufacturing will bring further job creation in the sector over the next few years.
Maria McCaffery MBE, Chief Executive of RenewableUK, commented:
"This study presents a compelling case for increasing our base of installed renewable energy devices. There is a clear link between sector activity and UK employment gains.
"Creating a policy framework that ensures that our wind, wave and tidal resources are fully utilised will create jobs and stimulate economic activity at a time when we need it most."
The report identifies 9,200 FTE (full-time equivalent) employees as working in the large-scale wind energy industries in 2009/10. A comparable study commissioned by RenewableUK from Bain & Company in 2008 recorded 4,800 FTE employees in the sector for the 2007/8 period.