Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire Research Paper

8. RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE ECONOMY ● Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire8. Renewable Energy and the Economy ofWorcestershire8.1 Development of renewable energypresents significant opportunities for theWorcestershire economy in job creation,business growth, and agriculturaldiversification, amongst other benefits.8.2 In rural communities notconnected to mains gas or electricity,homes and businesses may rely uponcostlier forms of energy including oil andliquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Movingtowards renewable forms of energy couldreduce this reliance on costlier fossilfuels. For business in particular,installation of renewable energies canhelp to improve the so-called 'greencredentials' of companies.8.3 A growth in renewables will requirea commensurate growth in renewablesdesigners, manufacturers, suppliers,distributors, retailers, maintenanceengineers, etc. Whilst some of thisbusiness growth may fall outside theCounty, by encouraging Worcestershire'sdevelopment in renewables there is abetter chance that local people and localcompanies may benefit. Approximately£15-19 billion of capital expenditure wouldbe required nationally to meet the 2020renewable energy aspirations of theEnergy White Paper 21 . With theassumption that economic activity relatedto renewables will remain constantthroughout this period, between 17,000and 35,000 jobs could be sustained bythe industry at the national level. Theseestimates have been set conservativelyand do not take into account recentgovernment policy including the Code forSustainable Homes or the ClimateChange Bill. Furthermore, research hasshown that for every £40,000 invested inrenewable energy, one job is created 22 .The opportunity exists for Worcestershireto capitalise on this growing market.8.4 In rural areas, the establishment ofrenewable energies can offer benefits notonly through the provision of employmentopportunities, but also through supportinglandowners in both the agricultural andforestry industries. By stimulating thedemand for renewable energy, it isevident that the expansion of therenewables market within Worcestershirewill present economic opportunities forinward investment and employment, aswell as in skills and training.8.6 As an example, development ofbiomass heating or biomass CHP couldcreate the following opportunities:●●●●●●●●●Installation and maintenance ofheating/CHP systems;Transportation - waste materials, woodmaterials;Agriculture - short rotation coppicing(willow/miscanthus);Facility staff - administration,management, handling, maintenance;Construction;Specialist skills - arboriculture, treesurgeons, etc;Technical advisors;Professionals - Architects, designers;Research and development.21Renewable Supply Chain Gap Analysis, DTI (2004)20Technical Research Paper22West Midlands Regional Energy Strategy (November2004)