UK renewables hits ‘record employment levels’

The UK’s green energy sector employed more than 116,800 workers in 2015. That’s an increase of more than 4,700 workers compared to 2014, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA) […]

The UK’s green energy sector employed more than 116,800 workers in 2015.

That’s an increase of more than 4,700 workers compared to 2014, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA) which highlights that’s a record level of employment for the industry.

The news follows IRENA’s report published last month which stated the renewable sector employed more than eight million people worldwide during the same period.

In its ‘REView 2016’, the REA stated the green sector, which supplied 23% of the country’s power needs last year, was valued at more than £15,900 million for the 2014/15 year.

That’s an increase of more than £980 million which represents a growth rate of 6.6%, it added.

Although there has been growth in the deployment of renewable and heat projects, the use of renewable transport fuels has declined – consumption of crop-based biodiesel has fallen to 6% from a high of 84%.

The REA insists recent policy changes are threatening the “strong growth” of the green energy sector.

Nina Skorupska, Chief Executive of the REA said: “2015 was another record year for British renewables. Employment, investment and deployment increased, while costs fell and the industry continued to mature. It was yet another year where the renewables industry outperformed UK growth rates.

“The industry was blindsided this year with over a dozen sudden and severe policy changes, which we expect will be reflected in next year’s report. While many businesses have been left reeling and deployment has begun to slow, as an industry we will persevere, we will innovate and we will continue to grow.”

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