British Gas will create approximately 2,600 energy jobs by 2012 as it introduces smart meter technology in people's homes.

The company's new employees will be installing the new meters, which have been hailed as a revolution in home energy use.

This comes after British Gas announced the opening of Leicester's Energy Academy, which will provide training courses to budding engineers.

British Gas managing director Phil Bentley said that the company was leading the way in terms of introducing the smart meters.

"Today's announcement of 2,600 new jobs by 2012 shows we are creating skilled green jobs in Britain and training the experts who will help customers become more energy efficient in the future," he commented.

Mr Bentley added that the new energy academy was an example of British Gas "investing in the people, the skills and the energy technologies of the future".

British Gas announced last month that it had acquired Energy and Building Management Solutions for £3.2 million.