Australia's Renewable Energy Workforce Needs to Double to Meet 2030 Targets

A new report from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney highlights that Australia’s electricity workforce must double within five years to meet the 2030 renewable energy targets. More than 80% of these jobs will be in renewables, with significant growth in energy storage, rooftop solar, batteries, and wind farms.

Australia needs to double its electricity workforce in the next five years to meet its 2030 renewable energy goals, according to a report by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney. The report underscores the substantial expansion required in renewables, including energy storage, rooftop solar, batteries, and wind farms.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) updates its Integrated System Plan biennially to guide the transition from coal to renewable energy. Under the 'step change' scenario aligned with the 2030 targets, the workforce must grow from 33,000 to 66,000 by 2029. Rooftop solar and batteries are expected to create over 40% of these jobs, with wind and solar farms contributing another significant portion.

AEMO projects that by 2033, over half of the sector's jobs will be in operations and maintenance, encompassing both 'step change' and 'green energy export' scenarios. New South Wales and Queensland are poised to be key states for renewable job growth. However, labor and skills shortages pose a significant challenge, prompting calls for urgent action.

(With inputs from agencies.)