Green leads way in supporting Welsh jobs and combating threat of climate change
(Full size images downloadable below)
Jake Griffiths, Wales Party Leader, had solar panels installed on his roof in April 2010 and has spoken of the need for Government to invest in the technology to create new jobs to beat the recession and tackle the continuing threat of climate change.
The 11 solar PV panels have produced their first 1,000 units (Kilowatt hours) of green renewable electricity. Estimates suggest that the panels will annually produce the equivalent of 80% of the electricity used in the house saving 430 kg Carbon Dioxide, the main gas responsible for climate change. The panels were manufactured in Wrexham, North Wales - where 600 people are employed - and fitted by local solar PV installation company.
The Wales Green Party has estimated that 50,000 new jobs could be created in Wales through the development of green technologies - such as the manufacture of renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency and insulation and improving public transport - which will be essential to bring us out of the recession and combat the threat of climate change.
Jake Griffiths, Wales Green Party Leader, said: "The panels just sit here and produce energy which is fed straight into the national grid. The panels do produce a lot more electricity during the summer months than the winter months but if we can save a bit more electricity at home we should be able to get to the point where over the year we are producing as much as we are using. Not only do they produce renewable electricity but they were also manufactured here in Wales and installed by a local company."
He continued: "In Wales and the rest of the UK we only produce 5% of our energy from green renewable sources compared to some 20% in Germany and 30% in Denmark. While we are clearly behind other countries and way down the list of European countries generating renewable energy it does show the huge potential available in creating clean energy and jobs at the same time."
He concluded: "The coalition Government's programme of spending cuts is already showing signs of making the recession worse and higher unemployment will follow as those public sector workers stop spending their wages in the private sector. The only real way to beat the recession is for Government to keep spending to stimulate recovery. Investing in green jobs is an ideal way to get the economy moving again and combating the very real threat of climate change which seems to be slipping down the list of priorities of the other political parties."
For further information contact Jake Griffiths on 07752754537 or Sam Coates on 07590008249.
ENDS
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