The sustainable energy industry could create up to 20,000 new jobs between now and 2020, according to the State agency responsible for promoting the sector.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said yesterday that an analysis of the sector’s economic and enterprise benefits showed it could create 20,000 new jobs over the next eight years.

The industry now supports about 10,000 posts, but could create 13,000 new jobs in energy efficiency and a further 7,000 indirectly by boosting competitiveness, it said. The authority released the figures at its annual energy show in the RDS yesterday.

Chief executive Prof J Owen Lewis said the sector offered significant benefits including “creating jobs, increased competitiveness and future proofing against upward price trends”.