Energy plans boost for jobs

Plans to expand renewable energy generation in the southwest could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.

Plans to expand renewable energy generation in the southwest could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.

The South West Regional Development Agency is signalling its determination to reach the UK's renewable energy goals. The region has been mentioned in the government's new consultation Renewable EnergyStrategy, which praises the south-west's renewable energy sector, worth an impressive £215 million a year.

Jonny Boston, energy manager at the South West RDA, said: "Renewable energy is not only vital for the future of a low-carbon economy but also a great economic opportunity for the south-west. We are blessed with abundant natural resources in the south-west which make us well placed to make use of our own indigenous sources of energy."

The region's green energy sector has grown by close to 40 per cent each year for the past three years, with the majority of green small businesses planning to grow and expand into other areas of the UK within the near future.

The UK is committed to generating around a fifth of its energy demands from renewable means by the year 2020.