The construction of pumped hydroelectric energy storage facilities generates significant employment opportunities and stimulates local economies in several ways:
Job Creation During Construction and Operation
- Construction Phase Jobs: Pumped hydro projects require a large workforce during their construction phase, involving civil engineers, project managers, drillers, environmental specialists, operators, and various skilled laborers. This phase creates temporary but substantial employment as large infrastructure must be built, including dams, reservoirs, tunnels, and powerhouses.
- On-site Employment Growth: Compared to conventional hydropower, pumped hydro storage projects create a larger share of construction jobs. For example, new pumped storage developments in the U.S. are estimated to add approximately 8,787 on-site jobs, which far exceeds the roughly 300 additional jobs expected from new conventional hydropower projects.
- Long-term Operations and Maintenance Jobs: Even after construction, pumped hydro facilities require operators, maintenance crews, and technical staff to ensure smooth ongoing operation, sustaining long-term employment.
Stimulating Local Economies
- Direct Economic Impact: The influx of construction workers and professionals increases demand for local housing, food, transportation, and other services, thereby boosting local businesses.
- Supplier and Vendor Opportunities: Construction and operational phases require materials, equipment, and services that often come from nearby suppliers, fostering growth in related local industries.
- Infrastructure Development Benefits: Large projects can lead to improvements in local infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and communications, which benefit the broader community.
- Skilled Workforce Development: Recruitment and training of a skilled workforce in the renewable energy sector help build local human capital and expertise, enhancing future economic prospects in clean energy.
In summary, pumped hydroelectric energy storage facility construction creates numerous jobs ranging from engineering to skilled trades and ongoing operations, which directly infuse money into local communities. This stimulation of local economies occurs through increased demand for goods, services, infrastructure improvements, and long-term workforce development in renewable energy sectors.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-construction-of-pumped-hydroelectric-energy-storage-facilities-create-jobs-and-stimulate-local-economies/
