§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are currently employed in the generation of energy from renewable sources(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other member states of the European Union. [73772]
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§ Mr. BattleThere are over 500 companies involved in renewable energy in the UK, which are estimated to employ some 3,500 people directly. These companies include manufacturers, developers, consultants, and operators.
Statistics for European Countries are not generally available. In the EU White Paper—Energy For the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy—the Commission cites the example of the wind energy sector which it estimates has created 30,000 jobs in Europe. The White Paper also states that if the contribution of renewables to energy supply in Europe were to double from the current 6 per cent. to 12 per cent. by 2010 it would create at least 500,000 jobs.