Wind Energy Jobs Global Outlook
This clean, abundant and inexhaustible form of energy brings employment opportunities across a range of disciplines. Wind energy jobs span design, production, infrastructure, operations, maintenance and much more.
The International Renewable Energy Agency reported that global employment within the wind energy sector was estimated to be over 1.2 million in 2020. Following this was a record year for offshore wind. The US Department for Energy reporting a total of 17,398 MW of new capacity additions worldwide in 2021.
The Global Wind Energy Council Wind Report 2022 describes how new global ambitions in renewable energy means there could be additional record-breaking years from 2025 onwards. Furthermore, GWEC Market Intelligence has raised its predictions for 2030 by 16.7%. This is equivalent to an additional 45GW of capacity.
Additionally, the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector document reports that 90% of electricity generated globally will come from renewable sources in 2050. Solar and wind will be responsible for 70% of this, suggesting a positive impact on jobs in the sector.
Employment in the USA Wind Sector
2021 saw $20 billion of investment into the wind sector. The US Energy Information Administration expects to see another 7GW of wind capacity to come online in the last six months of 2022 alone.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind service turbine technician is projected to be one of the fastest growing professions over the next 10 years. Indeed, the US Department for Energy details that country’s wind sector employs more than 100,000 workers. Plus, there is the potential for more than 600,000 wind energy jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and supporting services by 2050.
Wind Energy Jobs in the UK
The UK has a legally binding net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050. This means the growth of renewable sources has never been more important. Wind power is one of the largest sources of renewable energy in the UK. Plus, the Government expects to see continued growth in this sector.
The Office for National Statistics reports that electricity generation from wind power in the UK increased by 715% from 2009 to 2020. Consequently, jobs in offshore wind in the UK have increased significantly since 2015. There were 7,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) people employed in the sector in 2019. Onshore wind employment has remained stable over the same period, with 4,400 employees in 2019.
Wind Industry Development in Australia
We recently documented how Australia’s proposed development of six offshore wind energy zones had been given the go ahead by the country’s federal Government. The first being off the Gippsland coast, in Victoria’s south-east. Then off the coast of the Hunter Valley and Illawarra in New South Wales. In addition to Portland in Victoria, Northern Tasmania, Perth and Bunbury in Western Australia. These developments in Australia are said to be creating 2,000 construction jobs and 200 ongoing operator roles. Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world. These developments will bring the country up to date with global progress in the sector.
Emerging Wind Markets
Within their India Wind Energy Outlook 2026, the Global Wind Energy Council suggests that wind energy is crucial to India’s green energy transition. Over the next five years, with the necessary support, the country could add an additional 23.7GW of capacity.
Looking at the Global Wind Energy Council’s Global Offshore Wind Report 2022, we can see that China make up 80% of the offshore wind capacity that was added globally in 2021. Furthermore, Asia is likely to be home to the world’s largest offshore market by the end of 2022.
In terms of new onshore installations, the Global Wind Energy Council reports Africa and the Middle East as having record years in 2021.
These figures all suggest positive attitudes towards wind power globally. This highlights the need for a skilled renewables workforce worldwide.
There are more counties yet to develop wind power strategies, demonstrating the huge potential for jobs in the wind sector.
Visuna’s has a wide global network of niche talent in energy and tech. That means we can supply your project with people solutions wherever you need them. This includes both onshore and offshore wind projects.
