IRENA Forecasts 43 Million Jobs in Renewable Energy by 2050!

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has reported that global jobs in renewable energy increased from 11.5 million to 12 million in 2020. IRENA has also forecasted that by 2050, there will be 43 million jobs in renewable energy! If you'd like to read the report in detail, here it is.
The UN Climate Change Conference begins next week in Glasgow, so let's see if additional changes can be made to reach our goals for carbon reduction. I'll be looking out for data surrounding job growth and labor forecasts.
Growing Pains Are Real.
The Great Resignation is accelerating. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs in August 2021 (up 242,000 from July and another new record). As government, public, and private employers (including those in wind and solar) begin to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, we're at risk for further prolonging the Great Resignation. Our industry is already experiencing talent shortages and increased costs per hire. Unless these major issues are leveled out soon, there's absolutely no way we can achieve the job growth outlined by the Biden Administration.
Connect with Team EW today.
If you are currently exploring a new job in your renewable energy career, we invite you to have a look at our careers portal. If you're looking to hire top talent in manufacturing, project development, finance, construction, operations, or energy asset management professionals, reach out to us today.
Back On The Road (We Hope!)
We were excited about attending conferences again this year and after having our hopes raised and dashed when SPI ended up (rightfully) being cancelled, it looks like we will get some chances to see you all in person after all. First up is the Arizona Energy Future Conference on November 5. Alejandra Gutierrez will be attending for EnergeiaWorks to check in on the state of renewable energy in the sunniest state in the USA. Solar energy got very good news in Arizona this week with the elimination of the grid access fee for residential solar customers.
Then, from November 17-19 you can find EW’s Victoria Waye and Harrison Pallister in Toronto for Electricity Transformation Canada. Not quite as sunny a venue as Tempe, but there’s been plenty of green energy momentum in the Great White North of late. We’ll be learning about the latest developments across the country and meeting with clients and candidates on site.
If you won’t be at either of these, we have a growing list of shows we are planning for in 2022 so there will be more opportunities to meet up in person - so much more fun than Zoom!