Reaching the 2020 renewable energy targets is expected to lead to around 2.8 million jobs in the renewable energy sector and generate a total value added of around 1.1% of GDP. This is the main conclusion of a European Commission's study on the impact of renewable energy policy on economic growth and employment in the European Union (Employ-RES) which is available in the internet from today. Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: "This shows that benefits of renewables in terms of security of supply and fighting climate change can go hand in hand with economic benefits".
In 2005, the renewable energy sector employed 1.4 million people with a gross value added of 58 billion EUR. The significance of the sector varies strongly among Member States. Biomass, wind and hydro technologies are currently the most important for employment.
See full Press Release.
See full Study, in pdf format.
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