Everyone in the UK agrees that renewable energy is the future! However, for 45% of the UK right now, our top priority isn’t the energy transition – it’s ensuring financial security for ourselves and our families.
Luckily, the number of jobs being created in the renewable energy industry is growing four times faster than the overall UK employment market – and there’s room for everyone.
To accompany the launch of the #RenewableFuturesUK creator campaign, we’re sharing 5 major stats to know about one this fast-growing industry, and the potential it holds for unlocking a more prosperous United Kingdom.
1: 79% of voters want the UK to maximise our investments into clean energy
Ahead of the 2024 general election, polling from Opinium of 10,021 people in the UK and commissioned by RenewableUK showed that 79% of voters want political parties to work together to create a consensus on maximising investment in clean power.
Beyond this, the poll found that support exists in the current voters of all political parties, with 81% of Conservatives, 86% of Labour, 89% of Lib Dem, 82% of SNP and 69% of Reform UK voters in agreement on the need for collaboration.
2: The UK’s low-carbon sector outpaces the wider economy by 9% to <1%
Recent analysis from CBI found that in 2023, our green economy vastly overshadowed the wider economy overall in terms of growth, growing 9% versus 1% for the rest of the economy. As the report stated,
“To unleash the private capital the UK needs to transition, the government must maximise the investment and commercial opportunities for business.
Success can create jobs, provide greater energy security, lower energy costs, increase tax receipts, fund public services and help avert a climate emergency.”
3: The number of renewable energy jobs in the UK has grown by 29% since 2015 – whilst careers in oil and gas have continued to decline
Official Government figures confirmed recently that the UK hosted a record 272,400 green jobs in 2022, a 29% increase on 2015 levels. Conversely, as edie reported earlier this year, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the oil and gas industry decreased by 28% in the same timeframe.
In real terms, this equates to losses of around 8,500 jobs in fossil fuels against the creation of more than 40,000 roles being made available to UK workers in low-carbon and renewable energy sectors.
4: Renewable energy careers are extremely diverse – for example, job ads for professionals with procurement skills in the sector increased by 301% last year
The renewables industry in the UK is expanding massively – not just for roles like engineering, but for roles in finance, operations, project management, and more! Job ads for procurement skills in renewables have increased by 301% in the last year, with no sign of slowing – and the sector is bringing new jobs all over the country, with cities like Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham leading the way.
Learn more about renewable energy careers
5: In the UK, wider adoption of renewable electricity can lead to up to 150,000 jobs by 2030
The boom in renewable energy careers in the UK is already visible – but the full potential of the sector has year to be unlocked. With worldwide employment in renewable energy expected to increase to more than 38 million by 2030, the opportunity to bring greater economic outcomes to the UK is no exception.
Learn more: 5 types of renewable energy career that you could do
Overall, investment in the low-carbon and renewable energy industry has the potential to bring huge economic opportunities to the UK – not just through lowering energy prices for households, but also through job creation for individuals, and for the UK as a whole.
To learn more, search ‘renewable energy careers UK’ now.
