India Employer Forum

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Renewable Energy Sector Jobs in India

  • By: India Employer Forum
  • Date: 24 February 2023

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The growth of the renewable energy sector jobs in India has been significant in recent years. World Sustainable Energy Day serves as a reminder of the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources in order to create a sustainable future for all. In this article, we will explore the current state of renewable energy jobs in India, the growth trends in the sector, and the potential for future job creation in the industry.

According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India had about 730,000 renewable energy jobs in 2018, with the majority of these jobs being in the solar and wind power industries. The solar energy sector alone employed around 375,000 people, while the wind energy sector employed about 250,000 people. These numbers are expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as India aims to reach 175 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2022.

One of the main drivers of job growth in the renewable energy sector in India is the government’s ambitious renewable energy targets. In 2015, the government announced plans to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s total power mix to 40% by 2030. To achieve this goal, the government has implemented a number of policies and incentives to promote the development of renewable energy projects, such as the National Solar Mission and the National Wind Energy Mission.

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The growth in the renewable energy sector has also been driven by a decrease in the cost of renewable energy technologies. The cost of solar power, for example, has decreased by 80% since 2010, making it more cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuels. This decrease in costs has led to an increase in the number of solar power projects being developed in India, which in turn has created more job opportunities in the sector.

In addition to the growth in the solar and wind energy sectors, there is also potential for job growth in other areas of the renewable energy industry in India, such as biomass, small hydro, and geothermal energy. The government has set targets for the development of these technologies, and as they become more viable options for power generation, they will likely create more job opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

The jobs created in the renewable energy sector in India are not just limited to installing and maintaining renewable energy technologies. There is also a wide range of other job opportunities, such as in project development, engineering, finance, and policy. These jobs require a variety of skills and qualifications and provide opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals.

In conclusion, the renewable energy sector in India is experiencing significant growth and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years. The government’s ambitious renewable energy targets and the decrease in the cost of renewable energy technologies are driving growth in the sector and creating job opportunities in a wide range of areas. World Sustainable Energy Day serves as a reminder of the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, and the potential for job creation in the industry. 

References: 

  • The growth of renewable energy sector jobs in India | People Matters 
  • Renewable energy development in a net-zero world | McKinsey 
  • Renewable energy in India | Press Information Bureau | September 9, 2022

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