The global push towards carbon neutrality is not driven solely by innovation and investment — it is about people. While technological advancements and robust policy frameworks are crucial components of this shift, human capital is the engine behind every breakthrough in sustainable energy. To pursue and meet their climate commitments, countries will need to place the development of a skilled workforce as a strategic priority.
A Renewable Energy Job Landscape
Over the past decade, the renewable energy sector has consistently powered job growth — even amid economic uncertainties. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2021, the renewable energy sector alone could generate up to 38 million jobs globally by 2030, driven by rapid expansion in solar, wind, hydropower and other clean energy technologies. The 2024 edition of the report reaffirms that the sector is on track to meet or surpass these projections, underscoring its pivotal role in achieving the global target of tripling renewable power capacity by 2030.
Within Asia, the green job market is experiencing a surge that aligns economic growth with environmental stewardship. In 2023, Asia accounted for two-thirds of global renewable energy employment, led by China’s 7.4 million roles — around 45% of the total — with significant contributions from India, Japan and Southeast Asia. Across the region, solar photovoltaic (7.1 million jobs), wind (1.5 million), bioenergy (2.8 million) and hydropower (2.3 million) have expanded career pathways and spurred demand for specialised engineering and digital expertise.
Globally, renewable energy jobs have surged to 16.2 million — over half of all roles in the energy and utilities sector. Large-scale subsidies and the expansion of public infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging stations and modernised electricity grids, have spurred growth in solar and hydrogen power generation while driving a rapid increase in electric vehicle adoption.
Addressing a Critical Skills Gap
Yet amid these promising growth figures lies a significant challenge: the skills gap. The swift expansion of renewable energy initiatives is outpacing the development of an adequately skilled workforce, risking delays in the energy transition. The shift demands multidisciplinary expertise — ranging from technical know-how in solar panel installation and smart grid engineering to strategic insights in energy analysis.
As traditional fossil fuel roles decline, thousands of workers from fossil fuel industries face the dual challenge of job displacement and the need for swift reskilling to transition into these emerging roles. The renewable economy calls for professionals who are adept across disciplines — capable of navigating complex technologies, evolving regulatory landscapes and ambitious sustainability goals.
Reimagining Education and Reskilling
The scale of the energy transformation calls for a paradigm shift in education and vocational training. Across Asia, governments, industry and academia are collaborating to create initiatives tailored to the evolving energy landscape.
In Malaysia, for example, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) emphasises vocational training programmes aligned with industry needs and partnerships with the private sector. Similarly, Singapore’s Green Skills Committee and India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) are setting competency standards and certification frameworks that prepare workers for energy-related career opportunities of the future.
Meanwhile, universities too are stepping up by launching specialised programmes in renewable energy engineering, sustainable finance and climate policy. Leading institutions in China — such as North China Electric Power University, Tsinghua University and several premier universities across India and Singapore — are at the forefront of renewable research and training.
Strategic Talent Development: A Holistic Ecosystem
Beyond technical skills, the energy transition demands a broad set of competencies including systems thinking, digital literacy and leadership skills. Initiatives are growing across the region toward this. In 2025, ASEAN countries are focused on reskilling their workforce for the energy transition by enhancing human resource capabilities in nuclear science and technology. They are also promoting regional initiatives, including those related to clean coal technology, and fostering partnerships with international organisations to accelerate the energy transition.
Similarly, industry is stepping up. In India, for instance, the Adani Group has pledged over USD230 million in partnership with Singapore’s ITE Education Services to establish internationally benchmarked Schools of Excellence to meet industry demands in green energy, advanced manufacturing, high technology and industrial design.
Such initiatives are most effective when embedded within a collaborative ecosystem that connects government, industry and academia. This is essential to align evolving labour demands with educational frameworks at the right level. Initiatives like India’s Skill Council for Green Job (SCGJ) and Indonesia’s Specialised Workforce Development to Support Energy Transition (SWIFT) highlight the power of cross-sector partnerships. SCGJ brings together various stakeholders like government bodies, industry players and training providers to create a unified approach to skill development in the green sector. The SWIFT project, on the other hand, operates through a multi-stakeholder platform involving the Indonesian government, development partners including the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) and industry representatives to align workforce development, enhance certification programmes, and support Indonesia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
Looking Ahead: Human Capital as a Catalyst
Across Asia, human capital stands as a pivotal force in advancing the journey to carbon neutral. Investment in people transcends societal responsibility, emerging as a strategic imperative. Cultivating an adaptable, skilled and future-ready workforce lays the foundation for leadership in the transformative new energy economy.
The promise of millions of green jobs provides a vision of economic growth intertwined with environmental stewardship. A spotlight on innovative reskilling and talent development initiatives underscores the need for equitable and inclusive opportunities for every worker. Ultimately, harnessing the full potential of human capital will determine the pace and success of the global energy transition.
Among its multiple discussion tracks, Energy Asia is set to explore how progress toward low-carbon technologies is closely linked to nurturing adaptable, skilled talent. This forward-thinking approach integrates technical innovation with the cultivation of human capital, paving the way for sustained economic prosperity and social equity.
Be in Kuala Lumpur for Energy Asia 2025, and take part in the energy transition journey. Every decisive action taken today paves the way for collective progress tomorrow.
Register now at officialenergyasia.com.
