10 million new jobs? The value of investments in renewable energy is impressive

Luc Williams

The value of investments in renewable energy

According to the ManpowerGroup report “Energy World of Work 2025” published on Monday increase in investments in renewable energy will contribute to a decline in global demand for fossil fuels, including crude oil. This is confirmed by the analyzes of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which show that demand will stabilize in 2030 at the level of 106 million barrels per day and will then begin to decline as the use of energy from alternative sources increases.

According to data from the Global Wind Energy Council, in 2023 the industry broke annual records for new onshore wind installations, reaching over 100 gigawatts (GW). This sector also achieved the second highest annual result for new offshore farms (11 GW). As a result, total global wind energy capacity recently exceeded 1 terawatt (TW). Analysts predict that by 2030 this power will double and exceed 2 terawatts.

Renewable energy and the situation on the labor market

According to Karolina Grula, a labor market specialist from ManpowerGroup, the development of the wind energy industry will significantly change the situation on the labor market, generating an increasing demand for specialists in various fields. The industry is already facing a shortage of qualified employees, which indicates a large competence gap.

According to ManpowerGroup experts, the energy transformation will significantly impact many areas of the economy, including the labor market. “Employers will have to face the need to retrain employees and prepare them for roles related to sustainable development,” Grula said.

Adaptation challenges

She emphasized that traditional energy and automotive companies will also face the challenge of adapting to the new market structure. “Employers are faced with the need to retrain employees and prepare them for roles related to sustainable development. Today – as she noted – organizations are increasing expenditure on research and innovation, which translates into the creation of new jobs.

According to the expert, the most important qualifications of the future include knowledge of advanced technologies, the ability to analyze data and knowledge of energy systems and transmission networks. “The energy transformation creates new career prospects, but at the same time requires continuous development of competences in a dynamically changing technological and regulatory environment,” the expert emphasized.

What kind of employees does OZE need?

The “Energy World of Work 2025” report also notes that the energy sector needs experts who can combine knowledge in the field of AI and sustainable development. “An important role is played by energy efficiency engineers who optimize power consumption in data centers and specialists in green AI technologies who design energy-saving algorithms,” Grula pointed out.

She added that data analysts using artificial intelligence to forecast and manage energy demand, as well as people responsible for creating intelligent networks that allow the integration of AI with energy systems are invariably sought. “Researchers working on new materials and cooling technologies for data centers also make an important contribution to building a green economy,” says Grula. Moreover, she added, specialists in energy policy and sustainable development are necessary who will shape regulations that support innovation while limiting the impact on the environment.

Experts from the World Economic Forum forecast that the green transformation has the potential to create over 10 million new jobs globally this decade. Employment growth will be driven primarily by energy efficiency, which may generate up to 3.2 million jobs. Specialists responsible for applying technologies and practices that enable sustainable development will be extremely desirable on the labor market. (PAP)

About LUC WILLIAMS

Luc's expertise lies in assisting students from a myriad of disciplines to refine and enhance their thesis work with clarity and impact. His methodical approach and the knack for simplifying complex information make him an invaluable ally for any thesis writer.