America’s decarbonisation has the potential to create 500,000-600,000 new jobs across the solar, wind and battery storage industries by 2030, according to a new report by the American Clean Power Association (ACP).
The 2021 Clean Energy Labor Supply report, which was prepared by BW Research Partnership, also finds that high-than-average pay and union coverage are key aspects of the clean energy employment future.
The figures were based on the assumption that the country would reach 50-70% renewable energy generation by the end of the decade.
The manufacturing, professional service, and construction sectors would see the majority of employment growth, with manufacturing accounting for 38 percent of job-years, professional services representing 25 percent, and construction at 21 percent.
In particular, wind turbine technicians, solar photovoltaic installers, semiconductor processing technicians, metal fabricators, and electricians will be in high demand to produce and install the renewable energy and storage capacities required.
The renewables sector already employs more than 415,000 people in the US.
ACP’s chief executive Heather Zichal said: “Clean energy jobs are quality jobs, and America is about to create a lot more of them as we work together to achieve our country’s economic and climate goals.
“Clean power workers make a good wage, operate in safe and healthy conditions, and are part of a dynamic and growing industry that is making America a safer, healthier, and cleaner place.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for massive job creation, with high demand for a diversity of roles in manufacturing, construction, project development, and operations.”