Clean Energy Employment in Europe Grows Amid Skills Shortage
European Union: Clean energy technologies are contributing to employment growth across the European Union, with the sector expanding faster than the overall economy. In 2024, energy sector employment increased by 2.2 per cent compared with 1.3 per cent growth in total employment. The European Union accounts for around 1.8 million jobs linked to renewable energy, ranking second globally after China. Within the EU, wind energy employed approximately 273,500 people in 2023, followed by solar energy with over 227,000 jobs, while the heat pump sector accounted for around 80,100 jobs and battery and storage technologies about 33,000. Employment distribution varies across member states, reflecting existing industrial capacity and expertise.
The report indicates that labour shortages in technical and installation roles may affect further expansion of clean energy deployment. Participation levels also remain uneven, with women accounting for 26 per cent of employment in wind and battery sectors and 14 per cent in heat pumps, while workers aged 15 to 24 represent around six to seven per cent across key sectors. Job conditions differ across technologies, with variations in wages, employment stability and training access. Policy measures at the EU level aim to support manufacturing, deployment and workforce development, with an emphasis on expanding training and reskilling programmes to address labour gaps and support sector growth.
Source: Baltic Times
