Renewable energy can create thousands of jobs in rural areas, claims IRL

THE renewal energy sector has the potential to create thousands of jobs in rural areas, the Government has been told.

Irish Rural Link (IRL), which made the claim, called for the empowering of community groups to harness their area’s natural resources.

Chief executive Seamus Boland said renewable energy provides an opportunity to broaden the narrow economic base of rural areas.

There are active, dedicated, innovative rural communities across the country who can grasp the job opportunities in the renewable energy sector if they are adequately fostered and encouraged.

Communities can work with the state and private enterprise to harness their area’s green collar job potential.

“Local renewable energy co-operatives operate across Europe, but they have not been fostered here. These co-ops develop local energy resources while retaining money in the local economy,” he said. IRL is seeking support for flagship renewable energy co-ops, improved, accredited, training on renewable energy and better mentoring to entrepreneurs seeking to develop opportunities.

It is calling for joined up thinking and better national co-ordination of renewables, with an overhaul of the 12 existing energy agencies.

IRL is also looking for a review of planning legislation to address “a bias” against enterprise in rural locations, and particularly to encourage those manufacturing in the renewable sector. Opportunities exist in design, engineering, manufacturing and management, sales and after-sales all of which can be located in rural locations.

Mr Boland said this will require a shift in the planning system away from its bias against locating enterprises in rural locations.

“The Western Development Commission estimates that using wood to produce heat energy could create up to 900 additional jobs in rural areas of the region. The Irish Farmers Association believes that up to 5,000 jobs can be created in biomass.

“According to the Marine Institute, nearly 2,000 jobs could be created in marine energy technology. An Ecotec report estimated that 11,000 full-time jobs could be created in renewables in Ireland by 2020,” he said.