Do wind farms create jobs?

Do wind farms create jobs?

The wind industry already provides around 10,000 full time equivalent jobs. If jobs in other industries which supply wind power developments are factored in then that figure rises to over 30,000. The Renewable Energy Association estimates that to fulfil the legally binding target of 15 per cent ofenergy from renewable sources by 2020 will require 400,000 jobs in the renewables industries in total. Many of these jobs are likely to be in areas which have been badly hit by recession, on top of losing their historic manufacturing base. Former steel and shipbuilding towns in the North East of England could see massive investments in new offshore wind facilities in the North Sea.

Wind farm developments can provide an important source of income for local people, helping to regenerate areas and enabling farmers to diversify, aiding rural economies.