Number of UK renewable energy jobs grows 9% in 2013/14

Employment in the UK renewable energy industry grew by almost 9% in 2013/14 compared to 2012/13, reaching 112,026 jobs, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said on Friday.

The number of green jobs in the country rose significantly faster than the 1.2% average jobs growth rate in the UK reported by the Office for National Statistics for the same period, the industry lobby noted.

The sector with the highest growth was biomass heating. It boosted employment by 19%. Across regions, growth was particularly strong in the East Midlands, North West England, London and Scotland. London keeps its position as the top area for renewable jobs with 21,034. Next come South East England with 14,767 jobs and the North West with 10,693.

Nina Skorupska, REA chief executive, said that while the figures were extremely encouraging, it was of utmost importance that renewables remain a priority for the new government.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!