The development of various forms of renewable energy in the world has enabled the creation of 700,000 jobs last year, despite “the continuing effects of Covid-19 and the rising energy crisis,” announced Thursday the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In total, the number of jobs in the global renewable energy sector (solar, wind, hydro, biofuels, biogas, geothermal) reached 12.7 million in 2021 compared to 7.28 million ten years ago (2012) and 12 million in 2020, two-thirds of which are in Asia.
In total, China alone accounts for 42% of jobs in the sector, with the European Union and Brazil each accounting for 10%, and the United States and India 7%, Irena said in its report.
The main growth sector is photovoltaics, which employs some 4.3 million people worldwide. Of this total, China accounted for 40% of new solar projects, followed by the United States, India, Brazil and Germany.
Almost all (96%) of the semiconductor (wafer) manufacturers remain based in China, where they receive significant government support, notes Irena.
The biofuels sector employs 2.4 million people worldwide, many of them in agro-industrial complexes, the hydroelectric sector 2.35 million.
Wind energy employs a total of 1.37 million people, both in manufacturing and in the operation of wind farms.
They increased global generating capacity by 93 GW last year, says the report, produced in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
In this sector, China accounts for 48% of total employment, and Asia for a total of 57%, followed by Europe (25%) and the United States (16%). Africa and Oceania account for 2% of jobs.
By country, three European countries are in the top 10, Germany in second place behind China, Denmark (7th), and the UK (8th). Europe is a leader in the installation of offshore wind farms that require more complex installations than on land, submarine cables.
Solid biomass exploitation employs 716,000 people, biogas 307,000 and geothermal 196,000.
Irena expects the number of employees in the renewable energy sector to continue to rise, to a total of 38.2 million by 2030, as investments in energy efficiency, electric vehicles and hydrogen increase.
