Brussels, 04/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to the results of a study entitled EmployRES on the economic impact of the Community's 20% renewables target by 2020 in the energy mix (primary energy consumption), revealed by the European Commission on 2 June, the target fixed by the European Council should allow nearly 2.8 million jobs in the renewables sector and generate a total value added of nearly 1.1% of GDP. Although its importance varies considerably from one member state to the next, in 2005 the renewables sector employed 1.4 million and generated a gross value added of €58 billion in the EU, with biomass, wind and hydraulic technologies currently generating the most jobs. In future, a significantly higher number of people should find employment in the renewables sector, especially in the new member states, and positive spinoff on the economy is also foreseen. According to the study, implementation of the Community policy on renewable energies will stimulate the creation of nearly 410,000 jobs and entail a 0.24% increase in GDP in the EU27 by 2020. The study also underlines the need for firmer policies in order to gain maximum economic advantages from the renewables sector. In order to achieve the 20% target, increased use of innovative technology such as photovoltaics, offshore wind farms, thermal solar electricity and second generation biofuels require more short term financial means. However, the Commission concludes, these are technologies that will allow the EU to maintain its competitive advantage on the international scene and increase its employment rate as well as its medium-term GDP.
The study is available at: http: //ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/studies/. (E.H./transl.jl)