India’s exclusive focus on building a green and sustainable nation has unlocked abundant job opportunities within the renewable energy sector. The sector’s workforce is highly dynamic, comprising both fresh young talent and experienced, skilled professionals. Numerous government schemes and technological interventions, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence, have reshaped strategies and talent requirements across the industry. Within the sector, diverse roles are rapidly evolving across the solar PV industry, liquid biofuels, and wind energy, fueled by increased corporate investments. The future of renewable energy will depend on the participation of talented individuals capable of driving growth by minimising investments and optimising output by leveraging the latest technologies and Artificial Intelligence.
Recent Hiring Trends in the Renewable Energy Sector
Nationwide hiring in the renewable energy sector is expected to surge by more than 18 per cent in FY 2025, according to TeamLease Services Ltd. The sector experienced a remarkable 23.7 per cent year-on-year growth in employment in 2024, a significant increase from 8.5 per cent in 2023. Youth aged between 26 and 30 years (26.9 per cent) and 31 and 35 years (27.9 per cent) predominantly constitute the contractual workforce in this domain. Whereas, experienced professionals aged between 35 and 40 years (16 per cent) and those above 40 years (18.2 per cent) also contribute significantly to the sector’s overall growth. States such as Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka have emerged as key employment hubs for the renewable energy sector.
Several factors have contributed to the robust growth of India’s renewable energy industry. The nation is committed to achieving a 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030. Mr. Subburathinam P, Chief Operating Officer, TeamLease Services, stated, “India’s renewable energy sector is at a crucial inflection point, driven by strong government initiatives and rising corporate investments. The sector is set to boost jobs, with an increasing demand for technology-driven and specialised roles.” Government initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM KUSUM, and the Solar PV Module PLI Scheme are anticipated to accelerate growth on a large scale. Additionally, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) has reshaped employment opportunities, creating a greater number of technology-focused job opportunities within the sector.
In-Demand Renewable Energy Jobs in India
According to the Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2024, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2024, India accounted for approximately 1.02 million renewable energy jobs in 2023. Hydropower contributed the largest share, providing 453,000 jobs, which represents 20 per cent of the global total. Roles such as Hydropower Engineers, Hydrologists, and Geotechnical Engineers were in high demand.
The solar PV sector in India witnessed remarkable growth, generating a capacity of 72.7 GW by the end of 2023, up from 9.7 GW at the beginning of the year. This sector employed approximately 318,600 individuals across both on-grid and off-grid systems, with positions such as Solar PV Engineers, Energy Analysts, and Energy Storage Experts among the most sought-after roles.
In the wind energy sector, India achieved a cumulative installed capacity of 44.7 GW in 2023, ranking fourth globally. The sector employed about 52,200 people, with 40 per cent engaged in operations and maintenance and 35 per cent in construction and installation. Wind Energy Technicians and Wind Turbine Engineers were highly sought after in this field.
Additionally, there was notable employment in sectors such as liquid biofuels (35,000 jobs), solid biomass (58,000 jobs), biogas (85,000 jobs), and solar heating and cooling (17,000 jobs), with roles including Bioenergy Engineers and Geothermal Energy Engineers.
Above all, Renewable Energy Consultants, Sustainability Managers, and Project Managers are in high demand, playing a pivotal role in planning, strategising, and managing the overall efficiency of renewable energy projects.
Required Skills for 2025
- Energy Use Optimisation: Fundamental knowledge of optimising energy usage to enhance efficiency and reduce wastage, applicable across areas ranging from engineering to facilities management.
- Sustainability Reporting: The ability to analyse Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics effectively, enabling organisations to communicate their commitment to sustainability to various stakeholders.
- Carbon Accounting: Basic skills in estimating carbon footprints and assessing emissions, assisting organisations in tracking and managing their environmental impact more effectively.
- Green Financing: A strong understanding of environmental risks and opportunities associated with renewable energy investments, contributing to the development of financial instruments for sustainable projects.
- Technical Competencies: Specialised technological knowledge required to design, develop, and establish renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines, and related infrastructure.
The hiring growth in the renewable energy sector is being jointly driven by increased corporate investments, new technological interventions, and exclusive government schemes. As more Indian states begin to embrace renewable energy, there will be a notable surge in job opportunities and a diversification of job roles, even in developing cities. Possessing crucial skill sets in the sustainable industry will be essential to excel in the job market of 2025. Overall, India is poised to witness the emergence of a thriving workforce, which will play a vital role in accelerating the nation’s green initiatives.
