Global jobs in green energy to triple by 2030

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) issued a report Tuesday on employment in the renewable energy sector globally, saying the number of jobs in that sector could rise from the current 5.7 million to 16.7 million by 2030.

The "Renewable Energy and Jobs" report was published on the occasion of the ongoing seventh World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

The report predicts that the number of jobs in the sector could rise three-fold within the next 15 years if IRENA implements its plan to double the share of solar energy, wind energy, hydropower and geothermal energy to 30 percent of the global energy mix by 2030.

Of the expected 16.7 million direct and indirect positions in renewable energy by 2030, 9.7 million would be in bioenergy, 2.1 million in wind energy, 2 million in solar photovoltaic, 1.8 million in solar water heating, 0.6 million in small hydropower, and 0.5 million in other green energy fields such as landfill gas or geothermal energy.

The report noted that renewable energy projects in developing countries could help women, in particular, to escape from poverty, while adding that "women's talents and insights continue to remain under-utilized in the renewable energy sector."

IRENA Director-General Adnan Amin said on Monday at the opening of the summit that only concerted efforts in the global community can spur the use of renewable energy. Amin added he saw in particular potential for green energy jobs in Africa as some of the fastest growing economies are in the Sub-Saharan area.

Established in 2011, IRENA now has over 165 member states and aims to promote the research, production and usage in renewables.