The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has released regional and national jobs analysis, which has revealed remarkable growth in the UK’s renewable energy labour market.
In the UK as a whole, employment in renewable energy increased by 9% across all sectors, bringing the total number working in the industry to 112,026. In comparison, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported average growth of 1.2% during the same period.
The increase in renewable energy employment is now outstripping growth in market values in many sectors, suggesting that recruitment is now increasing to catch up with the previous years’ growth in market values. However, with the outcome of the impending General Election and any potential consequences it may have on the renewable energy sector still very uncertain, the REA has warned that the industry must not become complacent.
Comparing all renewable energy subsectors from 2012/13 to 2013/14 offshore wind had the largest increase of 1198 employees reaching total number of 19,478. It is followed by onshore wind and solar thermal. Wave and tidal sector employed total of 635 people in 2013/14 period.
Full details will be launched in the second Annual REA Review Report next week and will also cover deployment and investment figures and analysis.
Whilst both Labour and the Liberal Democrats pledged to grow the number of green jobs in their manifestos, the Conservative party made no such promises.
Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, Dr Nina Skorupska said:
“We are delighted to see such significant jobs growth across all technologies and industries in the renewable energy sector. This reflects greater confidence not only in the renewables market, but also the wider economy as a whole. Our industry offers a wealth of unique and exciting career opportunities and plays an essential part in ensuring that the UK meets its renewable energy targets.
Whilst these new figures are extremely encouraging, it is of upmost importance that renewable energy remains a priority for the incoming government. We look forward to working with the next government to ensure that even more is done to support our industry to ensure we can continue to create more skilled jobs and maintain the important growth seen over the last couple of years.”