Trade and Industry written question – answered at on 6 March 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the (a) employment opportunities resulting from and (b) the environmental impact of wind power; and if he will make a statement.
The Department estimates that there are currently 8,000 people employed in the renewables industry in the UK, the majority of which work in the wind sector. Given the continued growth of the renewables industry in the UK, we estimate that this could rise to between 17,000 and 35,000 jobs by 2020.
The Department has established a research advisory group to fund research into the impact of wind farms on the environment, including addressing concerns over seascape, birds and navigational safety. In addition, applications for consent to construct wind farms, submitted to the DTI, are accompanied by an environmental impact assessment.
Indeed projects like the Black Law windfarm demonstrate that, if properly sited, such developments not only produce zero emissions, but can also have a positive impact on the environment. The RSPB make clear that the Black Law windfarm, on the site of an abandoned opencast coalmine, represents an exciting opportunity to deliver real biodiversity benefits through habitat management.
Yes0 people think so
No1 person thinks not
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