FORMER Deputy Prime Minister John Prescot will back the drive for “green” wind power at a major conference in Liverpool next Tuesday.

He is keynote speaker at the British Wind Energy Association’s (BWEA) 31st annual conference, being held this year over three days at the city’s BT Convention Centre.

It is claimed that up to 60,000 new jobs could be created by the wind power sector over the next decade as the UK bids to cut carbon emissions by using renewable energy sources.

The event is seen as a coup for the North West economy, which is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that a massive expansion of renewable energy on and off the UK’s shores will bring.

The Government is committed to delivering a six-fold increase in wind energy capacity, on current levels, by 2020.

BWEA chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “Wind energy is the fastest growing industry sector in Europe.

“The range of employment opportunities within the wind and marine energy industries is extremely diverse, and the scale of demand for talent is vast.”

As part of the conference, the BWEA is organising a careers fair to provide guidance to those who may be interested in working in renewable energy.

The first of its kind, the fair takes place on the final day of the conference.

Envirolink Northwest is the main sponsor of the event and its chief executive, Nick Storer, believes it is an exciting opportunity for the North West economy.