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India's RE Workforce Reaches 1.02 Mn in 2023

India's renewable energy sector has reached a milestone of 1.02 million jobs in 2023, according to IRENA's 2024 Annual Review. This growth highlights India's leadership in clean energy and its commitment to sustainable economic development through job creation.

October 05, 2024. By EI News Network

In a significant development for India's renewable energy sector, the number of jobs reached an estimated 1.02 million in 2023. This was revealed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in its statement, referring to the latest report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) titled- 'Renewable energy and jobs: Annual review 2024'.

The report, produced in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), highlights India's emerging leadership in clean energy, emphasising its commitment to creating green jobs that stimulate economic growth. This increase reflects the sector's contribution to the global renewable energy workforce, which grew to 16.2 million, up from 13.7 million in 2022.

The report further reveals that hydropower has become the largest employer within the sector, providing around 453,000 jobs and accounting for 20 percent of the global total, second only to China. The solar photovoltaic (PV) sector employed approximately 318,600 individuals, benefiting from India's addition of 9.7 GW of solar PV capacity in 2023. Alongside hydropower and solar PV, wind power generated 52,000 jobs, while liquid biofuels and solid biomass accounted for 35,000 and 8,000 jobs, respectively. Moreover, the solar heating and cooling sector employed 17,000 people, and biogas projects created around 85,000 jobs.


As the renewable energy sector expands in India, it not only boosts the economy but also fosters sustainable livelihoods for millions of citizens. The sector is crucial in shaping a greener future and supports India's efforts towards energy independence and environmental sustainability while generating new employment opportunities across the nation.The IRENA report provides a comprehensive overview of employment trends within the renewable energy sector, analysing global landscapes and focusing on various renewable technologies. 

By examining employment across different countries, including India, the report assesses both public and private sector policies that influence job creation. These policies relate to renewable energy deployment, industrial growth, skill development, and labor market initiatives. Although specific details on education, skill requirements, and workforce attributes in renewable energy are still limited, the report stresses the importance of decent work to ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition. Each edition of the series focuses on the latest data, examining employment trends related to energy access, gender equity, and the demands of a just transition.

This achievement positions India as the fifth-largest nation for new installations, with a cumulative capacity of 72.7 GW by the end of the year. Furthermore, India's operational module manufacturing capacity was recorded at 46 GW, with expectations to grow to 58 GW in 2024. Similarly, cell manufacturing capacity is projected to rise from 26 GW to 32 GW, solidifying India’s status as the second-largest PV manufacturer globally.

IRENA also estimates that India had 238,000 jobs in grid-connected solar PV, representing an 18 percent increase from 2022. Additionally, around 80,000 individuals were employed in the off-grid solar sector. The wind power sector, which ranks fourth globally, provided employment to approximately 52,200 people, with a significant increase in wind capacity after years of slower growth.

As India continues to invest in renewable energy, the emphasis on job creation within this sector is poised to play a vital role in shaping the country's economic landscape and advancing its sustainability objectives. The report provides additional insights into the socio-economic effects of a renewable energy-based transition and projections for future job creation in the sector.
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