Wind Power to help create 14,000 jobs

Generating electricity from wind turbines and other renewable sources has been given a boost by Greenpeace which found clear economic benefits, including the creation of 14,000 new jobs.

This week Greenpeace released a study which recommended increasing the Federal Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) from 2% to 10% by 2010. The 2% target has already fostered $800 million in current and committed investment in renewable energy projects throughout Australia.

Greenpeace renewable energy specialist, Catherine Fitzpatrick, said "Australia's renewable energy industry is on the verge of a major expansion, creating thousands of jobs in manufacturing, maintenance and research. The global economic community is moving towards a renewable-powered future. Australia must choose whether to join this 'power shift' now and reap the benefits, or to follow behind and pay the price."

The Greenpeace publication found that a target of 10% new renewable energy would:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 million tonnes each year, equivalent to taking about 6 million cars off the road;
Create 14,000 jobs, mostly in regional areas; and
Establish Australia as a manufacturing and export hub for the Asia-Pacific region.

Ms Fitzpatrick added, "The Federal Government has a key policy opportunity, provided by next year's review of its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, to keep Australia internationally competitive in the world's fastest growing industry. To be on a par with most others in the OECD, Australia must increase the target to 10% additional renewable energy by 2010. Only a short-sighted government would remove support for this industry, at this critical stage."

Wind Power Pty Ltd

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