Page 10 - AfrElec Week 39

AfrElec JOBS AfrElec

Green energy provides

11.5mn jobs in 2029

GLOBAL THE number of green jobs in the world rose to Renewables jobs have shown more inclusion
11.5mn in 2019, with solar PV providing 3.8mn, and a better gender balance than fossil fuels. The
or one-third, of them, the International Renewa- report highlights that women held 32% of total
ble Energy Agency (IRENA) said this week. renewables jobs, as opposed to 21% in fossil fuels
Asia proved to the regional leader, boasting sectors.
63% of all renewable energy jobs in 2019. The report noted that off-gird developers
Biofuels jobs followed closely behind solar were showing the faster sectorial growth.
PV, reaching 2.5mn. Many of these jobs are in Off-grid renewables are creating growing
the agricultural supply chain, particularly in employment, led by solar technology, although
countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, the precise estimates remain scarce and absolute
Philippines and Thailand, with labour-intensive numbers are small for now.
operations. Decentralised renewable energy can also
Other large employers in the renewables sec- propel productive uses in rural areas. This job
tor are the hydropower and wind industries, with multiplier effect can be seen in farming and
close to 2mn and 1.2mn jobs respectively. food processing, healthcare, communications
The body said in the seventh edition of its and local commerce.
Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review that In order to maintain the momentum, govern-
renewable energy continued to bring socio-eco- ment must put renewables at the centre of their
nomic benefits by creating numerous jobs post-coronavirus (COVID-19) economic stim-
worldwide. ulus packages.
“Adopting renewables creates jobs and boosts IRENA said in its recent Post-COVID Recov-
local income in both developed and developing ery Agenda that up to 5.5mn renewables jobs per
energy markets,” said IRENA’s director-general, year could be created if governments promote
Francesco La Camera. green energy.
“While today we see a handful of countries Such a pace would allow the world to stay on
in the lead, each country can harness its renew- track for creating the 42mn renewables jobs that
able potential, take steps to leverage local capa- IRENA’s Global Renewables Outlook projects
bilities for industrial development, and train its for 2050.™
workers.”

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 39 01•October•2020