Global Renewable Energy Jobs Surge to 8.1 Million. Canada Ranks 11th

May 31, 2016

More people are working in the renewable energy industry than ever before due to more affordable clean energy and new policies, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada ranks eleventh globally, the agency says, with 36,000 renewable energy sector jobs.

As reported by Judith Lavoie in online news magazine DeSmog Canada, Canada has 36,000 people working in renewable energy industries, with 10,000 in wind, 8,000 in solar photovoltaic and the remainder mainly in biofuels.

“While the growth in jobs slowed compared to previous years, the total number of jobs in renewables worldwide continued to rise, in stark contrast with depressed labour markets in the broader energy sector,” the report says.

IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin said that contrast makes the continuing growth significant. “This increase is being driven by declining renewable energy technology costs and enabling policy frameworks… We expect this trend to continue as the business case for renewable strengthens and as countries move to achieve their climate targets agreed in Paris.”

A Clean Energy Canada report released in February shows Canada is falling behind its major trading partners in renewable energy investment, with spending declining by half last year while U.S. spending was up 7%.

Lavoie’s article quotes Clean Energy Canada policy director Dan Woynillowicz, who said Canada’s numbers aren’t so bad considering the country’s high baseline renewable energy levels.

“Canada’s domestic market for clean energy is only so big — in part because we already have a significant amount of renewable energy on the grid— and it isn’t growing as quickly as elsewhere,” Woynillowicz told DeSmog Canada. “Over the past five years the trend in Canada is steady growth in renewable energy investment and deployment, and the jobs that come with it.”

Woynillowicz added 2014 was a record year for renewable energy investment in Canada, and while 2015 was lower, it was the second best year ever. Furthermore, Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s clean energy targets will help drive a new wave of growth in renewables, following a trend started in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Atlantic Canada.

Canadian renewable energy companies are also playing a role in the clean energy revolution elsewhere, Woynillowicz says.“Beyond our domestic market, Canadian companies are benefiting and growing as a result of the significant investment and development happening around the world.”

Read the entire article: http://www.desmog.ca/2016/05/25/worldwide-jobs-renewable-energy-surge-8-1-million-where-does-canada-fit.

Photo: SunMine solar field near Kimberley, BC.