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Future Energy Employment Will be Driven by Renewables

Growth trend in renewable energy jobs continues globally.

Strong policy action is key to step up expansion in the
COVID-19 era.

11.5 million renewable energy jobs in 2019/

Solar photovoltaic (PV) retains the top spot among renewable energy industries, accounting for a third of the workforce globally.

Biofuels jobs grew to 2.5 million, as production expanded in Brazil, Colombia and Southeast Asia.

In wind power, onshore still dominates employment. Offshore jobs are growing with farms now based in 18 countries, compared to 10 a decade ago.

Hydropower still has the largest installed capacity albeit slower growth.

Renewable energy jobs by country
*Click on each country to learn more

Jobs (thousands)

Source: IRENA jobs database

Leading and expanding markets /

The diversification of renewable energy supply chains is changing the sector's geographic footprint.

China

39% of global renewable energy jobs

4 361 000 jobs
Solar PV: 2 214 000
CSP: 11000
Wind energy: 518 000 jobs
Geothermal energy: 3000 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 51000 jobs
Hydropower: 561 000 jobs
Solar heating/cooling: 670 000 jobs
Solid biomass: 188 000 jobs
Biogas: 145 000 jobs

European Union

1 317 000 jobs
Solar PV: 127 000 jobs
Wind: 292 000 jobs
Geothermal: 40 600 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 239 000 jobs
Hydropower: 78 000 jobs
Solar heating/cooling: 36 000 jobs
Solid biomass: 392 000 jobs
Biogas: 75 000 jobs
Ocean energy: 1100 jobs
waste-to-energy: 39 000 jobs

Brazil

Largest biofuels employer

1 158 000 jobs
Solar PV: 43 000 jobs
Wind: 19 000 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 839 000 jobs
Solar heating/cooling: 44 000 jobs
Hydropower: 213 000 jobs

United States

Largest biofuels producer

756 000 jobs
Solar PV: 240 000 jobs
CSP: 5000 jobs
Wind: 120 000 jobs
Geothermal energy: 9000 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 297 000 jobs
Hydropower: 22 000 jobs
Solar heating/cooling: 5000 jobs
Solid biomass: 51 000 jobs
Biogas: 7000 jobs

India

824 000 jobs
Solar PV: 204 000
Wind energy: 63 000 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 35 000 jobs
Hydropower: 367 000 jobs
Solar heating/cooling: 23 800 jobs
Solid biomass: 58 000 jobs
Biogas: 85 000 jobs

Germany

312 000 jobs
Wind energy: 96 600 jobs

Australia

26 850 jobs
Solar PV: 17 810 jobs
Wind: 3 240 jobs
Hydropower: 3 060 jobs

Japan

241 000 jobs
Solar PV: 241 000

Viet Nam

56 700 jobs
Solar PV: 56 700

Egypt

3000 jobs
Solar PV: 3000 jobs

Spain

81 294 jobs
Solid biomass: 32 300 jobs
Wind energy: 22 200 jobs

Rest of Africa

179 000 jobs

Republic of Korea

25 730 jobs
Solar PV: 13 800 jobs

United Kingdom

114 500 jobs
Wind: 44 100 jobs

Malaysia

187 000 jobs
Solar PV: 54 900 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 100 900 jobs

Nigeria

13 000 jobs

Kenya

25 000 jobs

South Africa

45 450 jobs

Mexico

56 000 jobs
Solar PV: 56 000 jobs

Cuba

40 jobs
Solar PV: 40 jobs

Colombia

4900 jobs

Costa Rica

1666 jobs
Solar PV: 1467 jobs
Wind: 53 jobs
Geothermal energy: 100 jobs

MENA

28 000 jobs

Philippines

111 560 jobs
Solar PV: 33 700
Wind: 18 780 jobs
Solid biomass: 11 000 jobs
Geothermal: 11 980 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 36 100 jobs

Iran

20 000 jobs
Solar PV: 13 500 jobs
Wind: 7 100 jobs

Argentina

15 000 jobs
Solar PV: 2 720 jobs
Wind: 3 750 jobs
Liquid Biofuels: 5 530 jobs

Skills and gender equity are key

The chronic shortage of skilled workers could impede rapid deployment of renewables.

Women face challenges owing to insufficient skills and training opportunities, along with career choices often shaped by gender bias, cultural norms and perceptions.

As the renewable energy workforce continues to expand, education and training are crucial for all.

The transition will shape future energy employment

Renewable energy may already employ more people than fossil fuels and will certainly account for more future energy jobs.

Spending USD 1 million on renewables creates 7.49 full-time jobs on average, almost triple the 2.65 jobs in fossil fuels.

Intensified energy transition investment could increase jobs in renewables to almost 30 million globally by 2030.

Energy efficiency jobs could reach 29 million, while grids and energy system flexibility jobs could expand to 12 million.

Equitable, inclusive, resilient economies /

Jobs have been affected by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the renewable energy sector has proven more resilient than fossil fuels.

Energy transition can represent a far-sighted investment when incorporated into post-COVID stimulus and recovery plans, helping to overcome the current economic slump and create much-needed jobs.

The post-COVID agenda put forward by IRENA could create some 5.5 million additional transition-related jobs, including energy efficiency and grid flexibility, over the next three years. Longer term, renewable energy jobs could grow to nearly 30 million globally by 2030 and to 42 million by 2050.

The moment for change is now

Linking the short-term recovery to medium and long-term strategies is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfill the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Comprehensive policies supporting the leveraging of local capacities will ensure job growth in renewables. Renewables jobs have also shown more inclusion and a better gender balance than fossil fuels.

The future of energy employment is powered by renewables.