26 April 2024 – The ambitious plan for the European energy transition towards becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 is the greatest endeavour of our generation. The uptake of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) is consistently growing in most European countries, proliferated by the mandatory fossil fuel phase-out. This uptake of RES also creates obstacles, such as difficulty in aligning electricity generation with demand.
The growing need for decarbonisation and electrification requires a stark growth of the renewables industry. With this growth, however, is a heightened need for a skilled workforce and researchers in the field, including white-collar, blue-collar, and other supporting roles. Complementary to this need is a need to re-skill workers to equip them for future roles in the renewables industry.
This report on jobs and skills in the renewables industry is meant to be an aid in identifying the emerging skills needs of the renewable energy sector, R&D&I needs, and concrete policy measures to overcome the gaps between the current workforce and identified needs. The report is divided into three sections:
- Future and emerging skills and job profiles
- Jobs and skills needs in R&D&I
- Measures to overcome skills shortages
Each section features input from involved renewable energy ETIPs: ETIP Batteries, ETIP Bioenergy, ETIP Hydropower, ETIP PV, RHC ETIP, ETIP Geothermal, ETIP SNET, and ETIP Wind. Each ETIP surveyed and interviewed relevant sector stakeholders to gain greater insights on the current status of jobs and skills for the sector as well as future needs and policy recommendations.