"Environmental Technologies"

This dynamic, emerging sector consists of around 1,300 enterprises, employs over 20,000 people and contributes around £1,300 million to the South West economy. Estimates say that the economy associated with the environment has the potential to develop a further 39,000 jobs and £670 million of additional output over the next few years.  
 
The South West has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity and heat from renewable energy. For example, the region has some of the best wave energy resources in Europe, with suggestions that it could produce 10% of the government's onshore wind energy production targets for 2010.  
 
Dale Vince, founder of the world's first green electricity company, Ecotricity, talks about the benefits of operating in the South West. Click to learn more. 
 
 
 
There are currently some 1,100 people employed in renewable energy alone in the South West. A 2005 study found that there could be as many as 6,600 full-time equivalent people employed in the renewables sector in the South West by 2010 and 17,400 by 2020. Its total contribution to the South West economy could be as much as £183 million by 2010 and £517 million by 2020.