The projected job growth trends in renewable energy over the next decade are robust, driven largely by continued expansion in solar, wind, and energy storage sectors.
Key Job Growth Drivers in Renewable Energy
- Strong Employment Growth in Utilities and Construction: In 2023, the utilities sector grew employment by 5.0%, adding nearly 30,000 jobs, while construction added nearly 90,000 jobs, reflecting strong demand for renewable infrastructure development.
- Expansion of Solar and Wind Capacity: The US Energy Information Administration expects wind capacity to rise significantly, reaching over 153 GW by the end of 2024, with solar capacity also expanding rapidly. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects that 450 GW of new solar capacity will be installed over the next ten years, enough to power over 71 million homes by 2029. At least 15% of U.S. homes are projected to have solar PV installed by 2030.
- Growth in Energy Storage: Battery storage capacity nearly doubled in 2024 to almost 29 GW and is projected to grow another 47% in 2025. Advances in battery technologies, including lithium-ion alternatives, alongside pumped hydro and hydrogen options, are critical for grid reliability and are expected to spur further job creation.
Employment Projections and Efficiency Trends
- According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), labor requirements per megawatt are expected to decline by 31% between 2020 and 2025 and another 20% between 2025 and 2030 due to technological improvements and increased efficiency. However, despite these efficiency gains, overall employment in key clean energy technologies—such as grid-connected battery storage, land-based wind, solar photovoltaics, and utility energy efficiency programs—is projected to grow under both “business-as-usual” and accelerated deployment scenarios.
- NREL’s state-level projections incorporated into the SLOPE platform show strong clean energy job potentials across the country through 2030, reflecting widespread regional growth opportunities in renewable energy employment.
Summary
The renewable energy sector is set for significant job growth over the next decade, fueled by aggressive deployment of solar, wind, and energy storage technologies. While efficiency gains will slightly reduce labor intensity per megawatt, the sheer scale of new installations and technological innovation will drive substantial net employment increases nationwide. Utilities, construction, and specialized renewable energy occupations will see the most growth, with new roles emerging around land management, agrivoltaics, and advanced storage solutions.
This trend supports a dynamic labor market in clean energy, offering expanding opportunities in installation, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance aligned with US climate and energy goals.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-projected-job-growth-trends-in-renewable-energy-over-the-next-decade/
