The UK’s low carbon and renewable energy economy has grown to more than £44 billion, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

According to the agency, the sector grew by 6.8 per cent in 2017 and employed 209,500 full-time equivalent jobs – up 2,100 on figures for 2016.

Businesses involved in energy efficiency accounted for half of the total, or £20.7bn, and more than two-thirds of employment, or 142,100 roles.

The ONS said the increase of turnover was driven by businesses directly involved in producing electricity, whole the increase in the number of jobs was linked with increases in the construction industry.

The ONS advised that caution was needed over the figures for the nuclear sector, which according to the report turned over £3.7bn and employed 13,400 in 2017. While the figures appear low, both turnover and jobs were significantly up on 2016 – by £700 million and 2,300 respectively.

The renewable heat sector saw the biggest growth in turnover – from £500m in 2016 to £1.7bn in 2017 – while on-shore wind saw the biggest fall – from £3.3bn in 2016 to £2.8bn in 2017.

The overall turnover figure rises to £79.6bn once indirect activity is taken in to account, added the ONS.

Simon Sjenitzer, director of energy and climate change at global consultancy WYG, which has an office in Cumbria, warned that the “devil was in the detail” when tackling the figures.

While unsurprised of the large role of energy efficiency, Mr Sjenitzer said the important sector had always been in the “shadows” of media coverage. The reduction for on-shore wind was also not a surprise given the Government’s “politically inspired attitude”, he added.

On the important role of renewables, he said: “The green lobby will comment that we had a renewables-only day last year and that overall electricity was up 30 per cent across all technologies. But this obviously changes from day-to-day.

“Sitting here now, I see total UK wind power, both on and offshore, is only contributing four per cent with 50 per cent coming from gas. It is a good job we still have nuclear to provide baseload support.”

The spotlight has been fixed on the role of nuclear power in recent months, with the collapse of NuGen’s plans for a new power station at the Moorside in Cumbria and the suspension of new plants at Wylfa Newydd, in Anglesey, and Oldbury in Gloucestershire.

According to nuclear output data from Imperial College, power stations across the country recorded a 12 per cent fall in their contribution to the UK’s power supply in January.

Two reactors are currently offline at Hunterston B in Scotland, while inspections are undertaken, and are not expected to be turned back on until the Spring. The power station, operated by EDF Energy, is set to close for good in 2023.

Likewise, Dungeness power station in Kent has been offline for maintenance work and is not expected to be back in operation until April. The station is due to close completely in 2028 after being given a 10-year life extension.

It means that energy is coming from the six remaining operational nuclear power stations in the UK, all of which are heading towards decommissioning in the next 10 years or so. 

At present construction has started on just one power station, Hinkley Point C, while plans for Sizewell C and Bradwell B are still in their early stages and, should they go ahead, will not go online until after the current fleet of power stations are out of action.