Ed Miliband Pledges Thousands of Clean Energy Jobs as UK Accelerates Net-Zero Transition
UK energy secretary Ed Miliband has described the clean energy transition as the country’s biggest employment opportunity in decades, pledging “tens of thousands” of new jobs across the renewable energy sector.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Miliband highlighted how technologies including offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and nuclear will play a central role in creating skilled, long-term employment as the UK works towards net zero by 2050.
Job Creation Across the UK
Miliband emphasised that growth in clean energy will generate opportunities across regions:
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Offshore wind in the east of England
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Carbon capture and storage in the North East and North West
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Hydrogen in Yorkshire
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New nuclear in Wales
These developments are expected to create demand for engineers, welders, electricians, and construction workers, with offshore wind alone forecast to expand from 55,000 jobs today to 112,500 by 2030.
Fair Work and Workforce Standards
The government confirmed that a Fair Work Charter will be introduced in 2026 under the Clean Industry Bonus scheme. The initiative will strengthen employment rights, enhance union representation, and ensure high standards across the offshore wind workforce.
In addition, new legislation will ban shale gas fracking, further aligning UK energy policy with climate commitments and long-term sustainable job creation.
Industry Response
Industry leaders welcomed the announcement. RenewableUK deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said clean energy industries are already delivering major economic benefits and are committed to maintaining strong workforce standards while maximising opportunities for UK workers.
What This Means for Careers in Renewables
At LSP Renewables, we see this pledge as a clear signal that the UK’s clean energy transition is set to accelerate. With government backing, industry expansion, and major investment, there will be unprecedented opportunities for professionals across engineering, operations, project management, and the wider renewables supply chain.
👉 Contact LSP Renewables today to explore current roles in offshore wind, hydrogen, CCS, and beyond – or to build the teams your organisation needs to deliver the UK’s clean energy mission.