Jobs of the Future: The Growing Demand for Green Energy

The renewable energy industry is a rapidly growing sector, becoming a driving force in the global economy, in turn creating a surge in demand for skilled professionals to power the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable, clean energy. With new technologies and businesses continuing to emerge, the job market for renewable energy provides professionals with a wide range of opportunities across different sectors around the world.

renewable energy surpasses 30% of global electricity production

Clean energy encompasses a broad range of industries, each with its own contribution to aiding the global energy transition. These include but are not limited to, solar power, wind power, hydrogen energy, bioenergy, carbon capture and hydropower. Within these sectors, a wide range of job opportunities exist and professionals from all different backgrounds will have key skillsets and knowledge to contribute.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported in September 2023 that renewable energy jobs have nearly doubled in the last decade, reaching 13.7 million [1]. The report found that the industry is attracting increasing investment, resulting in new jobs in a growing number of countries. In this article, we will be exploring the types of career opportunities available within the renewable energy industry and what you can expect from the roles.

Careers in Hydrogen Energy

Green hydrogen production plays a significant role in supporting the global energy transition towards net zero emissions by 2050 [2]. There has been a continued development in hydrogen technology, therefore becoming more attractive for future investments and leading to the creation of job opportunities. The importance of green hydrogen in the global energy mix lies in its potential to address climate change, enhance energy security and support sustainable development. By increasing generation of this clean and versatile energy source, it can drive the global transition towards a low-carbon future and build a more resilient and environmentally friendly world [3].

The hydrogen sector includes a variety of different jobs and career directions, including the role of Hydrogen Project & Design Engineer. The responsibilities of this role would include aspects such as utilising project management to bring hydrogen developments to life, engineering critical equipment for hydrogen systems and overseeing the successful execution of projects.

Another prominent job role within the hydrogen sector is a Hydrogen Energy Technology Manager, entailing responsibilities such as strategic product planning, technical product development, managing the product portfolio and conducting continuous research on industry trends and technological advancements. There are also opportunities to become a Hydrogen Energy Consultant, providing expert advice on hydrogen energy projects.

The Renewable Energy Institute’s Hydrogen Energy courses equip learners with in-depth knowledge of hydrogen production, storage and application technologies, which is fundamental for managing and advancing hydrogen projects.

Careers in Carbon Finance, Capture & Storage

According to Hays Top Jobs 2024 report, the role of energy and carbon manager is one of the most in demand jobs of the year [4]. Several businesses are looking for sustainability specialists who can improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs, which is why roles in the energy management space are increasing in demand; sustainability salaries as a whole have risen by an average of 6.3% this year – considerably higher than the national average. According to the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology will be essential to meeting long-term climate targets [5].

The role of Energy and Carbon Manager is to help businesses reduce their overheads by planning and regulating energy usage and devising new policies as needed. The role typically takes a holistic approach to energy and carbon management, incorporating elements of waste and utility management and sustainable development. Other roles within this sector include Carbon Capture & Storage Engineer, Carbon Reporting Manager, Sustainability Reporting Lead and Financial Modeller for Carbon Markets.

The Renewable Energy Institute’s Carbon Finance Consultant Expert Certificate provides a deep dive into the principles of carbon finance, including the mechanisms of carbon markets, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting standards and the development of sophisticated financial models.

Careers in Solar Energy

Solar energy is the fastest-growing sector within renewable energy careers [6], with almost 4.9 million jobs in 2022, which is over a third of the renewable energy sector’s total workforce. In addition to this, the report finds that solar power employs more women than other renewable sectors, at 40% of full-time positions.

The solar industry offers a wide array of career prospects, ranging from solar panel installation and maintenance to research and development, as well as project management. As solar energy developments continue to increase around the globe, the demand for skilled professionals in this field will only continue to rise.

An example of a role within this industry is a Solar Photovoltaic Project Manager. This role includes leading the project management for the delivery of commercial and industrial-scale solar PV and battery storage projects, managing contractor timelines, utilising technical knowledge of large-scale solar design and installation methods. The skills needed for this position include having a strong technical knowledge of solar and understanding installation methods and compliance standards.

The Renewable Energy Institute’s Solar Photovoltaic course delivers comprehensive knowledge on the design, installation, and maintenance of solar PV systems, which is essential for overseeing successful solar projects, managing solar assets effectively and leading solar energy initiatives.

Other Jobs Within Renewable Energy

From biomass, electric vehicles and energy storage to project management and finance there are a wide range of careers available within the renewable energy market. A recent report from IRENA, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), shows that an increasing number of countries are creating jobs in renewables [7]. Almost two-thirds of all these jobs are in Asia. China alone accounts for 42% of the global total, followed by the EU and Brazil with 10% each, and the USA and India with 7% each. ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said; “Beyond the numbers, there is a growing focus on the quality of jobs and the conditions of work in renewable energies, to ensure decent and productive employment. The increasing share of female employment suggests that dedicated policies and training can significantly enhance the participation of women in renewable energy occupations, inclusion and ultimately, achieve a just transition for all. I encourage governments, workers’ and employers’ organisations to remain firmly committed to a sustainable energy transition, which is indispensable for the future of work.” Some examples of career titles in the industry are Director in Energy Transition, Energy Storage Specialist, Electric Vehicles Project Manager, Heat Pump System Quality Controller and Wind Energy Yield Analyst.

Conclusion

Overall, it is evident that the opportunities for careers within the renewables sector are continuously on the rise due to the increased demand for clean energy across the globe. In the UK, the number of jobs being created in the renewable energy industry is growing 4 times faster than the overall employment market [8], with 2.2% of all new UK jobs being classified as ‘green’. The Renewable Energy Institute is an Accredited Centre offering qualifications and training courses on a variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency topics, working to reduce the skills gap and meet the demand for trained professionals.

To keep up to date with developments in the renewable energy industry, check out our Daily News page or get in touch today to see how our courses can help you take the next step in your career. You can also view our brand new jobs page for further information on potential roles and starting salaries here.