The report demonstrates that some 8000 jobs are already sustained by renewables in the UK, and that by 2020, this could rise to between 17,000 - 35,000. It also highlights the significant economic and social benefits that renewable energy could bring to the UK.

In his foreword to the report, jointly signed by Lewis Macdonald
- Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning at the
Scottish Executive - Energy Minister Stephen Timms said:

"The development of renewable energy is an important part of our
efforts to tackle climate change.

"But it also offers a huge opportunity to enhance our manufacturing
capacity and provide new employment, particularly in the remoter
areas."

Robin Oakley, Renewables Campaigner for Greenpeace, said:

The opportunity for 'a new industry for Britain' in clean, safe, renewable energy is there for the taking. We urgently need clean energy to protect the environment from climate change, but this report proves that renewable technology also has massive social and economic benefits and will create thousands of new jobs. Every wind turbine installed in the UK helps cleanly and safely power both our lives and our economy.