The solar energy sector could reach the mark of 11,6 million jobs worldwide by 2030, with the adoption of public policies for economic recovery and energy transition in the post-pandemic period. The data comes from the new study by IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency).
“Resilience, even in times of crisis, and the enormous potential for attracting investments, generating jobs and income, make the solar source a strategic tool for society in the post-pandemic period, helping to overcome the current challenging scenario that the world is facing”, said Rodrigo Sauaia, CEO of ABSOLAR (Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Association).
The IRENA survey also points out that renewable sources can create 29,5 million jobs in ten years. Of this total, photovoltaic energy would lead in new jobs, representing 39%.
“The economic recovery strategy must include sustainable initiatives, as it is time to invest in a better future. Public policies and sound investment decisions can create a virtuous cycle of development and, thus, enable systemic changes and positive energy transformations in Brazil and the world,” commented Ronaldo Koloszuk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ABSOLAR.
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The study also shows that the world could reach 100 million new workers in the energy sector by 2050, around 40 million more than today. This includes up to 42 million jobs in the renewables segment, currently 11 million total jobs. An accelerated energy transition could add 5,5 million more jobs by 2023 than the baseline scenario.
According to ABSOLAR, the Brazilian solar market has generated more than 165 jobs since 2012, spread across all regions of the country. With 5,7 GW of total operational power, including centralized generation and small and medium-sized systems (distributed generation), the sector has brought more than R$30 billion in new private investments to Brazil.
In the first five months of 2020, the sector created more than 37 thousand jobs in the country, even with the drop in economic activity resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In May alone, 7,2 jobs were created, bringing R$1 billion in new investments and a collection of more than R$424,5 million to public coffers.
