SEN Jobs Report 2020
Clean State commissioned Sustainable Energy Now to provide analysis and report on new jobs resulting from the transition to renewable energy (RE) within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) system. The vision presented in this report is premised on reaching 90% of electricity provided by clean energy in the SWIS in 2030 (including rooftop energy behind the meter).
The modelled transition to 90% RE by 2030 determined the following direct jobs:
- 55,100 job-years (2020-30) with an average of 5,000 jobs per annum.
- 8,600 FTE jobs in 2030 of which approximately 2,700 would be ongoing operations and maintenance jobs.
- Approximately 50-60% of the jobs created can be in regional areas.
Analysis of independent industry information on jobs created from the installation of new RE in Australia shows two major RE job categories will be created:
- Repeat construction work for anything up to 24 months per project, followed by
- Ongoing long-term operations and maintenance work.
There will also be jobs created from the closure and rehabilitation of existing carbon-based energy systems such as the Muja power plants. Resources developments in WA have shown that the construction work for new projects has become an industry in itself. This analysis indicates that something as significant as the transition to high levels of RE will create a sustainable RE construction industry.
In the creation of this new industry, the WA Government has the choice of a hands off “industry will decide approach” which is likely to involve significant delay followed by problematic booms and busts in RE construction employment, or a managed approach.
The report assumes a more rational managed approach where there is a steady flow of new jobs through an informed and well-directed government policy. The WA Government Energy Transformation Taskforce is key to providing the strong guidance needed.
Sustainable Energy Now
Sustainable Energy Now (SEN) was formed over ten years ago to promote the widespread use of sustainable energy in Western Australia; and to raise awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable energy. SEN's purpose is to minimise the impact of energy generation on the global environment by encouraging the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources that minimise pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
