More than 9.8 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2016, according to a new report on May 24. 2017, from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The report titled «Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2017» provides the latest employment figures of the renewable energy sector and insight into the factors affecting the renewable labor market.
The review shows that global renewable-energy employment, excluding large hydropower, reached 8.3 million in 2016.
When accounting for direct employment in large hydropower, the total number of renewable energy jobs globally climbs to 9.8 million – a 1.1% increase over 2015.
The jobs in ocean energy sector reached 4,870 in 2016, which is an increase of almost 30% from 3,700 people that were employed in 2015.
The report found that globally, 62% of the jobs are located in Asia.
China, Brazil, the United States, India, Japan and Germany accounted for most of the renewable-energy jobs.
In China for example, 3.64 million people worked in renewables in 2016, a rise of 3.4%.
IRENA’s report shows that solar photovoltaic (PV) was the largest employer in 2016, with 3.1 million jobs, representing an increase of 12% from 2015 — mainly in China, the United States and India.