More than one million now employed in EU renewable energy sector

15 February, 2012 The figures were revealed in The State of Renewable Energies in Europe report.

The renewable energy sector in the European Union (EU) now employs more than one million people, a new report has revealed.

A study from the European Commission, titled The State of Renewable Energies in Europe, showed that it is the first time the industry has broken this barrier.

It was mainly achieved after there was an increase of 25 per cent in 2010. Furthermore, revenue for the sector was boosted by 15 per cent in 2010 when compared to 2009, reaching €127 billion (£106 billion).

Some of the highlights of the report were that solar photovoltaic businesses employed 268,110 people and the wind power industry had 253,145 staff working for them.

William Gillett, head of unit for renewable energy, executive agency for competitiveness and innovation at the commission, said: "Even though factors such as a cold winter and a high level of rainfall have surely helped, this figure highlights the positive impacts of support policies and additional investments by market players."

The sector was also boosted earlier this week, with UK business secretary Vince Cable announcing plans for a £50 centre for green growth.

He noted that the UK can compete on a "global scale and has huge potential for growth" thanks to its offshore renewable sector.

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