UK: Renewable Energy Job Predictions Overestimated

Job predictions for renewable industry could have been overestimated, according to STV.

The Scottish Government is confident that offshore wind energy has a potential to create 48,000 jobs by 2020.

On the other hand, Richard Marsh, director of Edinburgh-based 4-Consulting, claims in his report that as few as 300 permanent positions could be created in the entire green energy sector.

“Overall, demand for nearly 50,000 jobs may arise up to 2020 but most of this demand will be temporary and recede once infrastructure has been deployed in the North Sea,” he stressed while speaking to MSPs at Holyrood’s Economy Committee.

“How many people you actually need to develop that offer over the very short-term is useful, it can play a role in helping to decide what to build and what to fund, but it shouldn’t be used as the justification for supporting intervention,” Mr. Marsh added.

Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, commented on the report by saying: “It grossly underestimates levels of renewable energy employment in Scotland today.

We are also doing some work on employment and we think the number is at least six times what has been set out in that report.”

[mappress]

Offshore WIND Staff, March 16, 2012; Image: repower