38,000 - Jobs Promise After Report Spotlights the Region's Wind- Power Potential

38,000 - Jobs Promise After Report Spotlights the Region's Wind- Power Potential

Oct 19 - Evening Chronicle - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Wind power is set to generate more than 38,000 jobs in the region over the next 15 years.

The work, in fabrication, installation and manufacturing, will be created up and down the coast as the region capitalises on the growing offshore wind power industry.

The figure, unveiled today by the Department for Trade & Industry and Greenpeace, comes as a huge boost just a week after employment figures took a dive with 7,000 more people on the dole compared with the month before.

In just one week in October more than 600 jobs were lost across the board in businesses, including shipyards, call centres and factories.

The numbers for the new jobs are based on a report produced by Energy for Sustainable Development Ltd (ESD) which shows the North East has a strong skills base and access to ports which are perfect to reap the benefits of wind power.

The thousands of jobs will be created if offshore wind power provides 30% of the UK's electricity supply by 2020. The Government has already committed having up to 20% of the UK's energy supplied by renewable resources by 2020.

Regional secretary for the GMB, Tom Brennan, welcomed the report: "It's a massive opportunity for manufacturing companies in the North East.

"We have all the skills for the fabrication and installation of wind farms off the region's coast. Potentially we're looking at lots of jobs involved."

Greenpeace executive director Stephen Tindale added that the region must be ready to take on the challenge.

He said: "Climate change is the biggest threat we face and the manufacturing expertise in the North East must be harnessed to build the renewable energy technology that will help defeat global warming. Trade unions, Government and Greenpeace all recognise the double win for jobs and the environment that renewable energy offers the North East."

The report examined the region's capacity and highlights its long tradition of maritime and manufacturing industries.

It also looks at the unemployment rate, which would mean the workforce would be able to support rapid growth.

It also highlights work by renewable energy firms in the region.

Already the region hosts the New & Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, which is making big steps to advancing wind and wave power.

Blyth is also the home to the UK's first offshore wind farm.

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