'Jobs in renewable energy sector to reach 24 million by 2030 globally'
Jobs in the sector of renewable energy is likely to reach 24 million by 2030 globally and become a major economic driver around the world, according to latest report published by Abu Dhabi based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The agency in its Jobs Annual Review 2017 report mentioned that employment in the renewable energy sector increased by 2.8 percent to reach 8.3 million in 2016, with India, United States, China, Japan, Brazil and Germany being the leading job markets.
The number of jobs in wind and solar power sectors has more than doubled in the last four years.
“Falling costs and enabling policies have steadily driven up investment and employment in renewable energy worldwide since IRENA’s first annual assessment in 2012, when just over seven million people were working in the sector,” said IRENA Director General Adnan Z Amin in an official statement.
The report says that 62 percent of the employed population comes from Asia with China alone accounting for 3.46 million people.
India accounts for eight percent of large hydropower jobs worldwide. The Indian wind energy industry had a successful year with the installation of more than 2.5 gigawatt while employment remained steady at 48,000 jobs. The Indian government’s push for 100 gigawatt of cumulative photovoltaic installations by 2022 is generating momentum, added the report.
While overall growth in jobs has slowed down compared to previous years, the total number of jobs in renewable sector worldwide is increasing in contrast with dejected labour markets in the broader energy sector.
