More than 8.1 million people around the world are in jobs directly related to the renewable energy sector states a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The figure represents a 5% increase over last year and is in contrast to a reduction in employment in the broader energy sector. In addition to the 8.1 million figure, 1.3 million people are employed in large hydropower.
The countries with the largest number of renewable energy jobs are China (3.5 million), Brazil, the United States, India, Japan and Germany respectively.
Solar PV represents the largest number of positions – 2.8 million worldwide, an 11 per cent increase from last count. This was driven by a 20% increase in solar panel installations during 2015.
Wind power jobs grew 5 per cent increase to reach 1.1 million. China led the way with almost half the jobs in the wind energy sector.
Jobs in the biomass sector rose to 822,000 and biogas, 382,000. Employment in solar water heating and cooling saw a reduction to 940,000 positions due to a slowing housing market and the removal of subsidies.
An interesting point to emerge from IRENA’s study was that early research appears to indicate the renewable energy sector features more gender balance than the broader energy sector. However, as Australia’s Clean Energy Council has previously pointed out; there’s still much work to be done in this aspect of the industry.
The future of renewables employment is looking bright.
“As the ongoing energy transition accelerates, growth in renewable energy employment will remain strong,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “IRENA’s research estimates that doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030 – enough to meet global climate and development targets – would result in more than 24 million jobs worldwide.”
The report states in order to meet the increasing labour requirements of the renewable energy sector, stable and predictable policy frameworks that encourage deployment, local investment, education and training will be required.
Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2016 can be downloaded here (PDF).
IRENA is the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange. The body has 147 member nations in its membership; including Australia.
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