A new report by RenewableUK, the trade body for the UK wind and marine renewables sector, has highlighted a 74% increase in UK jobs in wind and marine energy since 2010 - together these growth industries now directly employ 18,465 people full time.
The report into employment in the wind, wave and tidal energy sectors shows that the offshore wind sector saw the biggest growth between 2010 and 2013, with the number of direct jobs doubling from 3,151 to 6,830.
When indirect jobs are included (companies that supply goods and services to the sector, such as gearbox component manufacturers) the wind, wave and tidal energy industries support the employment of over 34,000 people.
According to the report, more than 80% of all employers in the wind, wave and tidal industries employ fewer than 250 people and 56% employ fewer than 25 people, showing that SMEs are at the heart of the sector and are driving the growth in employment.
Looking to the future the report predicts that more than 70,000 jobs could be created over the next decade, nearly half of which would be in offshore wind.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery, commented on the report, saying:
“Today’s report clearly demonstrates how the wind, wave and tidal industries are creating jobs and growth for the economy. There are tens of thousands of people employed in skilled jobs the length and breadth of the country building a world-leading industry in the UK and providing clean, reliable energy.
“Industry and Government need to work side by side to back this workforce and the growth they generate. If the UK gets this right, our wind, wave and tidal industries could employ more than 70,000 people over the next decade. The offshore wind sector alone could be employing nearly 45,000 workers in the 2020s. As an industry we are truly creating jobs out of fresh air.”
The largest increase in roles has been in construction and installation, with an additional 2,500 people now employed. The report also shows the breakdown of jobs across the sector with 30% of people working in construction and installation, 25% in planning and development, 18% in support services, 16% in operations and maintenance and 10% in manufacturing.
Current direct jobs are split over the sectors as follows: large onshore wind 6,609 Full Time Employees; medium onshore wind 838 FTEs; small-scale onshore wind 2,464 FTEs; offshore wind 6,830 FTEs; wave and tidal 1,724 FTEs.
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