Job losses amounted to 2.760 jobs, which, together with the jobs lost since 2009, leaves the employment figure at its lowest level in the series, according to a recent report by the Association of Renewable Energy Companies (APPA)However, the current outlook is beginning to show some signs of improvement due to the push for environmental policies and global sustainability goals.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the employment situation in the renewable energy sector in Spain and around the world, the advances expected in the coming years, and how the energy transition offers opportunities for job creation, including for specific profiles such as engineers, technicians and women.
Employment in Spain
By technology, the ones that created the most net employment in 2016 were wind power (535), solar photovoltaic (182), solar thermal (76), low enthalpy geothermal (19), marine (17) and mini wind (15). However, most of the employment in the sector is concentrated in the biomass energy generation, followed by wind power with 17.100 jobs and solar photovoltaic with 9.900 jobs, according to data provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Today, the number of direct and indirect jobs in the sector has changed significantly. According to APPA estimates, in the last count, the wind sector has maintained its leadership, but solar photovoltaic energy shows a Accelerated growth thanks to the growing demand for self-consumption and distributed energy projects. The Spanish government has implemented new policies to encourage the installation of renewable sources, which is driving the growth of new jobs, both in residential installations and in large industrial projects. Jobs in the photovoltaic sector are expected to continue to increase in the coming years.
Employment in the rest of the world
Globally, photovoltaic solar energy leads employment in the renewable sector, with 2,8 million people employed, which represents 11% of all jobs generated by clean energy. This trend is closely followed by wind energy, which offers jobs both in component manufacturing and in the construction and operation of wind farms.
Liquid biofuels also play an important role as the second largest employer globally, with 1,7 million workers. This energy source is particularly relevant in countries such as Brazil and the United States.
The IRENA report projects that by 2030, the number of jobs in renewables could reach around 24 million jobs if the recommended renewable energy implementation targets are met to meet climate change commitments. This would mean a exponential growth compared to current figures.
Women in the sector
A trend that has been increasing in the sector is the employability of women in renewable energy. An IRENA study reveals that the renewable energy sector offers more employment opportunities for women than the conventional energy sector. On average, women make up 35% of the workforce in companies in this sector, compared to 20-25% in more traditional energy sectors.
Female leadership has also seen growth. At companies such as Trina Solar and REC Group, women make up 42% and 35% of their workforce, respectively. In addition, women hold a significant 32% of management positions within the renewable sector, paving the way for greater representation and leadership in the future. This is particularly noteworthy as in the conventional energy sector, women typically hold only 20-25% of such positions.
In the United States, the solar industry has been a good example of this trend. In 2015, the percentage of women working in the sector increased from 19% to 24%, demonstrating how the expansion of the clean energy sector promotes gender equality in the workplace.
Training and most in-demand profiles
With the continued growth of the renewable energy sector, the demand for specialized profiles has also increased. Some of the most requested profiles in this field include:
- Renewable energy engineers: responsible for the design and management of solar, wind or hydraulic energy projects.
- Photovoltaic energy technicians: responsible for the assembly and maintenance of solar installations for self-consumption and industrial use.
- Wind energy technicians: in high demand for the installation and operation of wind farms.
- Biofuel specialists: focused on the production and distribution of sustainable fuels.
The labour market in the sector is in full expansion. In countries such as Spain, taking advantage of their favourable climatic conditions for solar energy, the offer of employment opportunities is increasing, driven by the growing demand for self-consumption and energy efficiency projects.
As for training, it is essential to have degrees or masters specialized in renewable energies to access the most qualified positions with the best professional prospects. Training in this field not only ensures short-term employability, but also a professional career with long-term development prospects.
Renewable energy is not only transforming the way we produce electricity, but also the structure of the labour market. From engineers to technicians and managers, the renewable energy employment sector continues to expand and offer opportunities to a wide variety of profiles. Although there was a notable drop in 2016, international efforts to mitigate climate change, together with policies to promote self-consumption and energy efficiency, are leading to a brighter future for professionals in the sector.