London, 26 October 2011

RenewableUK, the country’s largest wind and marine energy association, has welcomed the UK Secretary of State’s vigorous defence of the renewables industry in his keynote speech at RenewableUK’s annual conference in Manchester today.

In his speech, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, highlighted the 9,000 jobs created and the £1.7 billion invested in the renewables sector in this financial year alone. He said renewable energy technologies would deliver “a third industrial revolution every bit as profound as the first two”.

He also criticised what he called “the curmudgeons and faultfinders who hold forth on the impossibility of renewables” describing them as “an unholy alliance of short-termists, armchair engineers, climate sceptics and vested interests who are selling the UK economy short”.

· Secretary of State heralds “Third Industrial Revolution”

· Huhne spotlights benefits of green economy

· RenewableUK welcomes strong endorsement of renewables sector

· Huhne slams “green economy deniers”

RenewableUK has published research which predicts that 88,300 people will be working in the wind, wave and tidal industry and the supply chain by 2021.

Maria McCaffery, RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, said: “The Secretary of State’s emphatic defence of the renewables industry will provide a welcome and timely boost for everyone working in this dynamic sector. We’re proud that he chose to make such a strong declaration of support at our annual conference. His words reflect the determination of those working in the renewable energy sector to build Britain’s low carbon economy. We remain committed to driving down costs, and delivering a secure supply of clean electricity to millions of households throughout the UK, creating tens of thousands of jobs in the low-carbon revolution”.

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