In line with the increasing deployment of renewable energy projects worldwide, jobs in the sector are also surging — and China is far and away the top employer within the space.
According to the International Labor Organization’s Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2022, there were 12.7 million jobs in renewable energy in 2021, with China contributing roughly 5.3 million — or 42% of jobs — to the global pool.
Commenting on the data, Director of the ILO, Guy Ryder, said: “China’s success reflects infrastructure and industrial policies that built an integrated supply chain with large economies of scale.” He also noted that the country benefits from low labor costs which provide employers with access to relatively cheap labor.
The data indicates China’s continuing dominance in renewables. The country posted more than four times as many jobs as the European Union and Brazil who were second on the list with 10% each. The United States and India were joint third with 7% each.
China is the world leader in renewables
Amid the surge in renewable energy capacity globally, China has maintained its strong performance in yearly deployment of new projects. The International Energy Agency projects that renewable energy capacity will increase by a record 107 gigawatts in 2023 and total global capacity will reach 4,500 gigawatts by 2024.
China is expected to account for about 55% of the global additions in both years. The country is also expected to deliver up to 70% of all new offshore wind installations, 60% of total onshore wind projects, and 50% of solar PV projects globally by 2024.
Considering this, I think it’s fair to say that the country will also account for a corresponding increase in renewable jobs added in 2023 and 2024. Apart from the clear advantage this provides in terms of manufacturing capacity, China’s increase in renewables jobs also signals its local strength in installation and manufacturing expertise.
Renewables will continue to add more jobs
While it has been promised for many years now that the transition to renewable energy will bring new (and better) jobs, it’s good to see that promise finally being delivered. The 12.7 million jobs recorded in 2021 was 700,000 more than the previous year and almost double the figure recorded a decade earlier. That’s a decent development.
Although the total jobs in the renewables sector still constitutes just 0.7% of the total workforce in China and the EU, the development is promising. Hopefully, as the industry evolves further and adds more capacity, we will see even more jobs being added.
Think tanks like the International Renewable Energy Agency project that to reach net zero by 2050 and keep global warming at 1.5 degrees celsius, we will need to add about 38.2 million jobs in renewable energy by 2030.
In addition, jobs created in allied industries like power system management, electric automobiles and more could see another 74.2 million jobs by 2030.
