Daily News
Global Renewable Energy Jobs Surge to Record 16.2 Million
Renewable energy jobs saw their largest increase in 2023, according to a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Employment in the sector grew from 13.7 million in 2022 to 16.2 million, marking an 18% annual rise. This surge is attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacities and the growth of equipment manufacturing, reflecting the strong momentum in the transition towards cleaner energy sources. Check out the REI’s brand new jobs page, highlighting the wide range of careers in the sector.
China leads the renewable energy sector with an impressive 7.4 million jobs, accounting for 46% of the global total. The European Union follows with 1.8 million jobs, Brazil with 1.56 million, and both the United States and India contribute nearly a million each. The booming solar photovoltaics industry, driving much of the growth, supports 7.2 million jobs worldwide, with China holding a dominant position by generating 4.6 million of these. Additionally, Southeast Asia has become a crucial solar export hub, fuelled by substantial Chinese investments, creating a surge in regional employment opportunities.
Liquid biofuels ranked second in renewable energy employment, followed by hydropower and wind. Brazil dominated the biofuel sector, generating approximately 33% of the 2.8 million global jobs, while Indonesia secured second place, contributing 25% of the total. However, hydropower saw a decline, with jobs dropping from 2.5 million in 2022 to 2.3 million in 2023 due to reduced deployment. The primary employers in this field were China, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Pakistan, reflecting strong engagement in the hydropower industry.
In the wind sector, China and Europe remain dominant. As leaders in turbine manufacturing and installations, they contributed 52% and 21% to the global total of 1.5 million jobs, respectively.
Despite its significant resource potential, Africa received only a small fraction of global renewable energy investments, resulting in just 324,000 jobs in 2023.
ILO director general Gilbert Houngbo said: “Investing in education, skills, and training helps reskill all workers from fossil fuel sectors, address gender or other disparities, and prepare the workforce for new clean energy roles. It is essential if we are to equip workers with the knowledge and skills that they need to get decent jobs, and to ensure that the energy transition is a just and sustainable one. A sustainable transition is what the Paris Agreement requires of us, and what we committed to achieving when we signed up to the agreement.”
Invest in your education and career progress by studying at the Renewable Energy Institute, offering a wide range of renewable energy and energy efficiency training courses since 1975. View our full course catalogue here, or get in touch today to find the best pathway for you.
Sources:
https://www.renews.biz/96079/renewables-jobs-hit-record-high
https://www.energylivenews.com/2024/10/01/record-growth-in-renewable-energy-jobs/