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Renewable energy jobs reach
10.3 million worldwide
The renewable energy industry created more than 500 000 new jobs
globally in 2017, a 5.3% increase from 2016, according to the latest
figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
According to the fifth edition of Renewable Energy
and Jobs – Annual Review, launched at IRENA’s 15th
Council in Abu Dhabi, the total number of people
employed in the sector (including large hydropower)
now stands at 10.3 million globally, surpassing the
10-million figure for the first time.
China, Brazil, the United States, India, Germany, and
Japan remain the world’s largest renewable energy
employers, representing more than 70% of all industry
jobs globally. Although growing numbers of countries
are reaping the socio-economic benefits of renewables,
the bulk of manufacturing takes place in relatively few
countries and domestic markets vary enormously in size.
Some 60% of all renewable energy jobs are in Asia.
“Renewable energy has become a pillar of low-carbon
economic growth for governments all over the world, a
fact reflected by the growing number of jobs created in the
sector,” said Adnan Z. Amin, director general of IRENA.
“The data also underscores an increasingly regionalised
picture, highlighting that in countries where attractive
policies exist, the economic, social, and environmental
benefits of renewable energy are most evident,”
continued Amin. “Fundamentally, this data supports our
analysis that decarbonisation of the global energy system
can grow the global economy and create up to 28-million
jobs in the sector by 2050.”
The solar PV industry remains the largest employer of
all renewable energy technologies, accounting for close
to 3.4-million jobs, up almost 9% from 2016 following a
record 94 gigawatts (GW) of installations in 2017. China
was estimated to account for two-thirds of PV jobs —
equivalent to 2.2 million — representing an expansion of
13% over the previous year.
Despite a slight dip in Japan and the United States, the two
countries followed China as the largest markets for solar PV
employment in the world. India and Bangladesh complete
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the top five that accounts for around 90% of global solar
PV jobs. Jobs in the wind industry contracted slightly last
year to 1.15 million worldwide. While wind jobs are found
in a relatively small number of countries, the degree of
concentration is lower than in the solar PV sector. China
accounts for 44% of global wind employment, followed by
Europe and North America with 30 and 10%, respectively.
Half of the top-ten countries with the largest installed
capacity of wind power in the world are European.
“The energy transformation narrative is one of improving
economic opportunity and a rise in social well-being as
countries implement supportive policies and attractive
regulatory frameworks to fuel industrial growth and
sustainable job creation,” said Dr Rabia Ferroukhi, head
of IRENA’s policy unit and deputy director of knowledge,
policy and finance.
“By providing policymakers with this level of detail
about the composition of renewable energy employment
and skills requirements, countries can make informed
decisions on several important national objectives, from
education and training, to industrial policies and labour
market regulations,” continued Dr Ferroukhi. “Such
considerations will support a fair and equitable transition
to a renewables-based energy system.” PA
The renewable energy industry
is creating many new jobs
across the world.
Renewable energy
has become a pillar of
low-carbon economic
growth for governments
all over the world, a
fact reflected by the
growing number of jobs
created in the sector.
Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA
June 2018 Volume 24 I Number 4