Ireland’s wind energy sector could employ 10,000 by end of decade

Ireland’s wind energy sector has the potential to employ more than 10,000 people by the end of the decade, when the country is set to become an energy exporter.

Ireland imports €6bn worth of energy, but by the end of the decade will export about €1bn — a €7bn swing — according to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).

The sector employs 2,000 people across a variety of sectors, from construction and maintenance to legal and financial services. This is expected to reach 10,700 by 2020.