Wind power jobs boost predicted

Greenpeace says action is needed to defeat global warning

Up to 76,000 jobs could be created by the growing offshore wind power industry, with up to half of them in the north-east, according to a report.

The study was launched on Teesside on Tuesday by Greenpeace and the Department for Trade and Industry.

It says the North East is ideally placed to benefit from the growth of the industry.

It says its strong skills base, history of manufacturing capacity and access to ports put it in a good position.

The report - Offshore Wind - Onshore Jobs - was produced by Energy for Sustainable Development Ltd.

'Global warming'

It looked at three different scenarios in which offshore wind power provides 10%, 20% and 30% of the UK's electricity supply by 2020.

The top case scenario shows 76,000 new jobs could be created, and the report says with appropriate policies and incentives, up to half could be in the North East.

Greenpeace executive director Stephen Tindale 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 was launched at Tees Valley Regeneration.

GMB union general secretary Kevin Curran said: "North East manufacturing companies have the fabrication skills and installation expertise to assist in the development of the offshore wind power energy initiative which should reverse the trend of job losses in this industry, create new businesses and grow the manufacturing skill base."