Renewable energy: powering jobs and regional communities
Discover how solar and wind farms are creating opportunities across regional Australia.
Are clean energy projects providing jobs to regional Australia?
Clean energy projects are creating tens of thousands of jobs. There are an estimated 30,000 people working in clean energy already (1). If all the projects in the pipeline to 2030 go ahead, this will create an additional 450,000 jobs during construction (2).
What are the economic benefits of clean energy projects beyond on-site employment?
Local businesses across the supply chain including transport and manufacturing can benefit from procurement opportunities. Hospitality and accommodation providers will see increased traffic while local infrastructure may be upgraded to support project delivery.
Can clean energy projects support community development?
Clean energy projects support community development priorities by contributing to local benefit funds. Clean energy projects are already providing more than $10 million towards local benefit funds annually.
What are the employment opportunities during the construction phase of a project?
The construction of a single 600 MW wind farm can employ approximately 1,500 workers during construction. From electricians, engineers and technicians overseeing the technical aspects to construction workers like concreters and labourers laying the foundation, or truck drivers delivering the components, each role is pivotal.
(1) Clean Energy Council. (2022). Skilling the Energy Transition: https://assets.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/documents/CEC_Skilling-the-Energy-Transition-2022.pdf
(2) Construction jobs: https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news/jobs-report-guides-future-for-theclean-energy-workforce#:~:text=450%2C000%20jobs%20in%20construction%20of,electrical%20engineers%20currently%20born%20overseas
Clean energy projects create ongoing employment, provide opportunities to upskill residents, boost local business and improve local infrastructure.
Are there ongoing employment opportunities?
Most clean energy jobs are created during the construction phase, which typically lasts 1-2 years. Workers will develop valuable skills that will take them to the next clean energy project. Once built, projects require a skilled workforce to run and maintain. These are ongoing, well-paying jobs over its 30-year operating life.
What are some examples of the career opportunities available in the sector?
There are people on the ground, in offices, operating large machinery, at the top of wind turbine towers, in communities, or underground at hydro power plants. There are people working with wind, water, the sun, and the earth. Primary and local subcontractors are involved in the construction and then operation and maintenance of these large-scale projects.
Is the clean energy workforce helping regional centres?
Skill shortages are often exacerbated in regional Australia. The 2023 Skills Priority List, which tracks occupations in shortage across the country, found that 100% of Construction Trades Workers, 73% of Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers and 100% of Engineering Professionals occupations are in current and enduring shortage nationally (4).
These include degreed roles, tradespeople and technicians, machine operators and civil workers that are critical for the clean energy transition.
Are there upskilling opportunities for locals?
Renewable energy projects go beyond providing jobs, they offer opportunities for upskilling residents. Local residents gain expertise and skills that extends beyond the immediate project, making them versatile and employable in other industries. This commitment to training and skill development ensures that the community is prepared for the evolving demands of the energy transition, promoting long-term career sustainability.
Is the growth of renewable projects supporting manufacturing?
The growth of renewable energy projects is helping to increase manufacturing. This is largely because renewable energy can provide cheap energy for manufacturing processes. A clear example of this is Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter - Tomago, near Newcastle, pushing ahead with plans to power its operations with renewables. Renewables will soon power Australia’s largest aluminium smelter, employing more than 1,000 people.
(3) Rutovitz, J., Langdon, R., Mey, F., Briggs, C. (2023). The Australian Electricity Workforce for the 2022 Integrated System Plan:Projections to 2050. Revision 1. Prepared by the Institute for Sustainable Futures for RACE for 2030: https://racefor2030.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-ISP_Workforce_Rev1-1.pdf
(4) Jobs and Skills Australia. (2023). 2023 Skills Priority List Key Findings Report: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/2023%20SPL%20Key%20Findings%20Report.pdf
Benefit-sharing schemes are used to fund local initiatives, neighbourhood groups and provide scholarships.
Is the expansion of renewable energy projects creating more transport and logistics work?
The transportation of renewable energy components, including wind turbine blades and solar panels, requires a well-coordinated logistics network. This has resulted in job growth in areas such as trucking, shipping, and warehousing.
Are there monitoring and maintenance jobs?
As renewable energy infrastructure expands, so does the demand for professionals involved in monitoring and maintenance. These are ongoing jobs, lasting for the life of the project, usually 25-30 years. These roles are also usually filled by people living in the communities hosting renewable energy projects.
Are there roles for project management?
From community engagement and environmental approvals to construction oversight and financial management, project managers play a crucial role in the successful implementation of renewable energy initiatives. The Clean Energy Council reported that the renewable energy sector supported over 7,000 jobs in project development and construction in 2021.
Top 5 clean energy facts
The clean energy transition will create
66,000 jobs by 2030
As a windswept and sun-drenched land
Australia has an abundance of cheap and reliable renewable energy
Clean energy projects will deliver between
$7.7 billion - 9.7 billion in direct payments to farmers and nearly $2 billion to regional communities land councils by 2050
Clean energy is already supplying more than
40% of Australia’s electricity
Australia is already feeling the effects of a changing climate, with more intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, fires, ocean acidification and rising sea levels.
Clean energy is the best way to reduce emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change
