Renewable Energy Jobs Rise As Calls Grow For Stronger Domestic Supply Chains

Global renewable energy installations reach record levels, yet employment expansion remains modest, with jobs rising only 2.3% from 2023 to 2024 to 16.6 million positions worldwide. The new Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025 by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Labour Organisation links this slower growth to geopolitical tensions, geoeconomic pressures and increasing automation across energy supply chains.

The report underlines large regional gaps in employment. China generates about 7.3 million renewable energy jobs in 2024, equal to 44% of global positions. The European Union holds steady at 1.8 million jobs. Brazil reaches 1.4 million roles, while India rises to 1.3 million and the United States to 1.1 million, both showing only limited growth.

Solar photovoltaics remains the largest employer in the sector, driven by rapid installation growth and panel manufacturing. The industry accounts for around 7.3 million jobs in 2024. Asian economies host about three quarters of all solar PV employment, and China alone provides 4.2 million of those roles, supported by large, integrated manufacturing supply chains.

Liquid biofuels form the second largest source of employment in renewable energy, with 2.6 million jobs reported in 2024 and 46.5% of those positions located in Asia. Hydropower supports around 2.3 million jobs worldwide, while wind energy provides about 1.9 million jobs, reflecting steady but slower expansion compared with solar PV activities.

Commenting on these trends, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera states: "Renewable energy deployment is booming, but the human side of the story is as important as the technological side. Governments must put people at the centre of their energy and climate objectives through trade and industrial policies that drive investments, build domestic capacity, and develop a skilled workforce along the supply chain. The geographical imbalance of the job growth reminds us to get international collaboration back on track. Countries that are lagging behind in the energy transition must be supported by the international community. This is essential not only to meet the goal of tripling renewable power capacity by 2030, but also to ensure that socio-economic benefits become lived realities for all, helping to shore up popular support for the transition."

Beyond headline employment numbers, the Annual Review stresses that a fair energy transition requires broader inclusion and equity across the renewable energy workforce. The report notes that many groups, including women and people with disabilities, still do not benefit fully from job opportunities, and their skills remain under-used in planning, construction and operation activities.

Inclusion and accessibility within renewable energy jobs

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the importance of inclusive labour markets, stating: "A just transition to a renewables-based future must be grounded in inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity. As countries scale up renewable energy investments and job creation, we have a particular responsibility to ensure that accessibility for persons with disabilities – who too often face barriers to inclusion in labour markets despite their skills, experience and talent - is built into every stage of policy design and implementation. This requires accessible training systems, inclusive hiring practices, and workplaces that accommodate, welcome and respond to diverse needs and respect every worker’s rights. Disability inclusion is not only a matter of justice; it is essential for resilient labour markets and sustainable development. By removing barriers to equality and promoting decent work, we strengthen economies and ensure that the energy transition truly works for all."

The study stresses that durable progress on diversity and fairness in renewable energy employment depends on sustained policy frameworks. These include accessible education and training, active labour market services and supportive measures that involve a wide group of stakeholders. The report adds that discriminatory practices and outdated social or cultural norms need to be discarded so that all communities can share economic gains.

This 12th edition of the Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review forms part of IRENA’s broader analysis of the socio-economic effects of a renewables-based transition. It is the fifth edition produced with the International Labour Organisation, which contributes a dedicated chapter focusing on the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in renewable energy jobs worldwide.

With inputs from WAM