Jobs in the wind and marine energy industries could quadruple by 2021.A report from trade body RenewableUK and the Energy & Utility Skills council claimed there could be over 88,000 jobs in a decade.This compares with 21,000 jobs last year, up from 4,800 full-time wind industry positions in 2008.

Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of RenewableUK said: “This report shows the enormous potential that exists within the renewable energy industries to provide tens of thousands of permanent, well-paid jobs for the engineers, scientists, technicians and economists of the future – building on the enormous successes we have achieved already.

“However, we must ensure that the right training is available to ensure that the workforce has the appropriate skills to serve this dynamic sector, as it continues to expand at an extraordinary rate.”

The study looked at several scenarios for the future size of the market: more growth in the market would mean more jobs, but depends upon whether enough skilled recruits are available to employers.

Just 44,000 jobs would be supported under the lowest growth scenario in the report, called Working for a Green Britain Vol 2.