India’s Renewable Energy Boom: Job Creation And Sustainable Growth

In a significant milestone for India’s renewable energy sector, the total number of jobs reached an estimated 1.02 million in 2023, according to the 2024 Annual Review by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The global renewable energy workforce grew to 16.2 million, up from 13.7 million in 2022, with India making a notable contribution to this rise.

The report, developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlights India’s growing leadership in clean energy and its focus on creating green jobs that drive economic growth.

As renewable energy continues to grow in India, it is not only boosting the economy but also creating sustainable livelihoods for millions. The sector plays a vital role in shaping a greener future, supporting India’s journey toward energy independence and environmental sustainability while opening up new avenues for employment across the country.

Overview of IRENA’s Renewable Energy and Jobs Series

The IRENA Renewable Energy and Jobs series provides a comprehensive overview of employment trends within the renewable
energy sector. It examines the global landscape of renewable energy technologies and analyzes employment across different countries, including India. The report assesses public and private sector policies influencing job creation, such as those related to renewable energy deployment, industrial growth, skill development, and labour market initiatives.

Although detailed information on education, skill requirements and workforce attributes in renewable energy remains limited, the series emphasizes the need for decent work to ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition. Each edition of the series presents the most recent data, focusing on key aspects like employment in energy access, gender equity in the workforce and the demands of a just transition. Since 2011, this series has been a part of IRENA’s broader analysis of the socio-economic effects of a renewable energy-based transition, covering topics such as job creation, the development of local capacities, women’s participation in the sector, and education and training opportunities. The reports also explore the impact of renewable energy pathways on jobs, GDP, and overall human welfare, with projections up to 2050.

Key Findings in 2024 Report

❖ In 2023, India had an estimated 1.02 million renewable energy jobs.

❖ Hydropower was the largest employer in the renewable sector in India, providing
around 453,000 jobs, and accounting for 20% of the global total, second only to China.

❖ The solar PV sector in India employed about 318,600 people in both on-grid and offgrid systems. India added 9.7 GW of solar PV capacity in 2023 and ranked fifth globally for new installations and cumulative capacity, which reached 72.7 GW by the end of the year.

❖ India’s operational module manufacturing capacity stood at 46 GW in 2023, expected to grow to 58 GW in 2024. Similarly, cell manufacturing capacity was 26 GW in 2023 and is projected to reach 32 GW in 2024, making India the second-largest PV
manufacturer globally after China.

❖ IRENA estimates that in 2023, India had 238,000 jobs in grid-connected solar PV, an 18% increase from 2022. Around 80,000 people worked in the off-grid solar sector.

❖ India had a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 44.7 GW in 2023, ranking fourth globally. The country added 2.8 GW of wind capacity in 2023, marking a significant increase after five years of slower growth.

❖ The Indian wind sector provided employment to approximately 52,200 people in 2023, with around 40% in operations and maintenance and 35% in construction and installation.

Renewable Energy Jobs in India (2023)

Out of the 1.02 million people employed in India’s renewable energy sector in 2023, Hydropower and Solar Photovoltaic were the largest contributors, employing the most individuals. In addition to that, Wind Power generated 52,000 jobs, Liquid Biofuels provided 35,000, and Solid Biomass accounted for 58,000 jobs. The Solar Heating and Cooling sector employed 17,000 people, while Biogas created 85,000 jobs, showcasing the diverse employment landscape within the sector.