Renewable Energy Jobs Outlook

Increasing investments in renewable energy will create more job opportunities

According to BloombergNEF, global investment in renewable energy soared to $358 billion within the first six months of 2023. This was a 22% increase compared to the start of the previous year. Thanks to solar energy’s growing popularity and cost competitiveness, this sector accounted for nearly two-thirds of these investments.

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Investments in renewable energy are expected to keep growing as the industry continues to expand, making the cost for green energy more cost competitive and therefore more in demand from consumers. 

Renewable energy jobs around the globe

While many countries boast thousands or millions of jobs in the renewable energy industry, this usually represents less than one percent of the country’s total population. Iceland and Norway, for example, both of which produce some of the largest amounts of renewable energy in the world, only have 0.5% and 0.3% of their population working in the industry.

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However, some countries are able to employ a greater percentage. In 2021, just over 1% of Canada’s 38 million population worked in the clean energy sector. Under the country’s new 2030 climate plan, they plan to increase this number by 50%.

Tech workers are the linchpin to making the green transition happen

With renewable energy continuously growing, so is the need for energy tech. Governments and corporations are increasingly investing in clean energy, creating a high demand for skilled tech workers. This growth provides ample opportunities for career advancement, skill development and the chance to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technological advancements.

As more jobs are created, there must be an emphasis on a just transition

As the renewable energy sector continues to expand, more effort needs to be made in offering training to women and concerted efforts to hire them throughout all levels in the industry. In some countries, women may even be the key to pushing the energy transition forward. In the US, for example, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 21% of currently active electricians will reach retirement age in the next decade, while demand will rise by 7%. IRENA predicts this will result in more than 80,000 job vacancies. Encouraging women to take up a significant portion of these roles can fill a gap as well as open the pathway for greater diversity and innovation.