Greentech Lead Europe: 3 percent of the UK’s energy comes
from renewable sources, such as sun and wind, compared with a European average
of 12 percent.
The dismal performance is despite a series of government
policies aimed at increasing that percentage.
Britain is looking at producing 15 percent of its energy
from renewable sources by 2020.
Imported gas is likely to represent an increasing
proportion of the U.K.’s energy bills, and by 2020 could cost an extra 60
billion pounds more than if Britain met the renewable target, according to the
study by the Renewable Energy Association (REA).
About 110,000 people are employed in the renewable
industry. The green industry needs a workforce of about 400,000 to meet the
2020 goal.
By 2020, the industry could be worth 50 billion pounds a
year to the economy.
The study provided clear evidence that renewables are
good for the economy and that ministers should grasp the opportunity.
“When it comes to the employment, economic and
energy challenges we face, this report gives a clear answer make it renewable,
and make it in Britain,” said Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the REA.
Renewables as an industry including wind, solar power and
biomass used for heating and electricity generate a turnover of about 12.5
billion pounds a year, with exports worth about 1.6 billion pounds last year.