Wind Energy Jobs on the Rise in the UK - State of the Industry Report 2014 available

The number of people working in the medium and large-scale sectors of the British onshore wind industry, and offshore wind, has risen by 8 % in just over twelve months to more than 15,400 direct, full-time jobs, according to the trade association RenewableUK.

New figures, revealed in RenewableUK’s annual report Wind Energy in the UK (link is external), show that the number of people directly employed in the wind energy industry in the UK – excluded small wind – has increased by more than 6,300 in four years, rising from 9,100 in 2010 to 15,400 in 2014. The report also shows that the number of indirect jobs (for example supplying components) has increased by 8 % since September 2013 to nearly 15,000 jobs. This means that more than 30,400 people owe their livelihoods to wind in the UK, mainly in STEM careers (based on qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths). More than 2,250 direct and indirect jobs in onshore and offshore wind have been created in just over 12 months.

To coincide with the new report, the Energy Secretary Edward Davey helped RenewableUK to launch a new campaign, Faces of Wind Energy (link is external), at its annual conference in Manchester. The multimedia initiative tells the individual stories of people working in the British wind industry. In their own words, they explain how they are playing their part in in Britain’s green-collar clean energy revolution, from Barrow to Chepstow and from Glasgow to Grimsby. As part of the initiative, RenewableUK is launching a new online career map explaining different roles in industry, including the qualifications and experience required.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery, said: “Nearly two and a half thousand people have joined the UK wind industry’s dynamic, highly motivated workforce over the last year. That’s a growth rate that most other sectors can only dream of – renewables is the employment engine of the future”.

RenewableUK’s annual study also shows that new onshore wind farms delivered £ 1.6 billion of investment in 12 months. Total offshore wind investment reached £1 billion. The report also reveals that since the localisation of business rates for new onshore projects in April 2013, English onshore wind farms now contribute £ 5.9 million a year to local council coffers, which is £ 149 million over their lifespan.

Further Facts of Interest:

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