Wind At Work - European Wind Energy Association
Forward - In 2007, wind energy capacity increased more than any other power generating technology in the EU. It has experienced dramatic expansion in recent years and is meeting a growing share of Europe’s electricity demand. In a world confronted with the imperatives of combating climate change while securing energy supply, the bene? ts the technology offers put it in an ideal place to lead the charge in reaching a truly renewable energy future.
However, beyond its advantages in terms of combating climate change and addressing the historic need for increased electricity generating capacity, wind energy should also be looked upon as a major contributor to economic welfare and as one of the solutions to the looming spectre of economic turmoil. Wind power not only has the potential to satisfy the increasing electricity demand in a sustainable manner; it is also a signi? cant and vital stimulus to economies. Greater energy independence, lower energy costs, reduced fuel price risks, improved competitiveness, increased technology exports and major employment opportunities are among the low-hanging fruits the technology has to offer.
Wind energy has come of age and more and more Europeans are attracted by the jobs created in the industry. Over the past ? ve years, the EU wind energy industry has created more than 60,000 new jobs. On average, the wind energy sector in Europe has employed 33 new people every day, seven days a week over the past ? ve years. This report aims to shed light on one of those capital aspects: it analyses wind energy’s bene? ts in terms of employment by looking into the tremendous evolution the sector has experienced in terms of job creation, offering an in-depth analysis of the current situation and investigating the industry’s current shortage of human resources and prospects up to 2030.
At a time where economists turn to investments in job-intensive infrastructure as one way to revitalise economies and where many rightfully fear our economy will suffer and lag behind if we continue to increase our reliance on energy imports, this report presents the employment bene? ts of putting money to work in European economies, to the bene? t and welfare of its citizens.
Arthouros Zervos
EWEA PRESIDENT
Christian Kjaer
EWEA CHIEF EXECUTIVE