The Renewable Energy sector is reshaping the UK job market, creating thousands of new opportunities for professionals across various skill levels. As a Recruitment Agency specialising in the green sector, we’ve witnessed firsthand how this rapidly expanding industry is becoming a major employer nationwide.
The renewable energy industry in the UK has grown tremendously over the past decade. Working with candidates and employers has given us unique insights into not only how these technologies function but also what skills are needed to succeed in this field. This guide explores the main renewable energy types, their economic significance, and the career paths each offers.
Major Types of Renewable Energy Sources in the UK
The UK's energy landscape is changing rapidly. As we move away from fossil fuels, several renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important, each creating distinct career opportunities.
Solar Energy
Solar power works by converting sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power systems. Despite our famously cloudy weather, the UK's solar capacity has grown substantially, with both large-scale solar farms and residential installations becoming commonplace.
The UK now has over 17GW of installed solar capacity, providing 4.9% of the total electricity that runs through the national grid. Installation costs continue to fall, making solar increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.
Career Paths in Solar Energy
The solar industry offers diverse roles, with over 13,00 people employed in the sector in the UK. Some of the more common roles include:
Solar Panel Installers work on both residential and commercial properties, fitting and maintaining PV systems. This practical role requires technical knowledge and often working at heights.
Solar Design Engineers develop photovoltaic system plans tailored to specific locations and energy requirements.
PV Sales Specialists help clients choose appropriate solar solutions, requiring both technical understanding and excellent communication skills.
Solar Project Managers coordinate large-scale solar installations, managing timelines, budgets, and teams of workers.
Wind Power
Wind energy captures the kinetic energy of moving air through turbines. The UK leads Europe in offshore wind capacity and continues to develop both onshore and offshore projects.
The UK currently generates around 29.4% of its electricity from wind power, with capacity continuing to grow. The government's target of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 is driving significant job creation in this sector.
Career Opportunities in Wind Energy
Key roles include:
Wind Turbine Technicians maintain and repair turbines, often working at great heights both onshore and offshore.
Wind Farm Site Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of wind farms.
Aeronautical Engineers design and improve wind turbine technology, helping push the boundaries of turbine efficiency.
Maintenance Specialists focus on predictive and preventative maintenance to keep wind farms operating at peak efficiency.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydropower systems generate electricity using the energy of flowing water. The UK currently has around 2GW of hydroelectric capacity, primarily from facilities in Scotland and Wales.
Hydropower Career Paths
Hydro System Engineers design and optimise hydropower installations.
Environmental Assessment Specialists evaluate the ecological impact of proposed hydropower projects.
Maintenance Technicians keep hydropower systems running efficiently.
Biomass Energy
Biomass technology generates energy by burning organic materials like wood pellets, agricultural waste, or dedicated energy crops. Biomass currently provides around 11% of the UK's total electricity generation.
Career Opportunities in Biomass
Biofuel Process Engineers optimise the conversion of organic materials into energy.
Feedstock Specialists manage the supply chains for biomass materials.
Plant Operators run biomass power stations, monitoring equipment and ensuring efficient operation.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal technology harnesses heat from beneath the Earth's surface. While deep geothermal power generation is limited in the UK, ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling buildings represent a growing market with increasing job opportunities.
Geothermal Career Paths
Geothermal System Designers plan ground source heat pump installations for both residential and commercial buildings.
Drilling Specialists create the boreholes needed for geothermal systems.
Geologists assess site suitability for geothermal projects.
Tidal and Wave Energy
Marine energy technologies generate electricity from waves or tidal movements. The UK, with its extensive coastline and strong tides, is well-positioned to lead in this emerging sector.
Marine Energy Careers
Marine Engineers design and develop wave and tidal energy systems.
Environmental Impact Specialists assess how marine energy installations affect local ecosystems.
Research Positions focus on improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of marine energy technologies.
Green Hydrogen
Hydrogen functions as an energy carrier rather than a direct energy source. It's produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity, making it a completely clean fuel.
The UK's hydrogen strategy aims to develop 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. This emerging sector is creating numerous new roles, particularly in industrial areas targeted for hydrogen development.
Hydrogen Career Opportunities
Electrochemical Engineers develop and improve electrolysis systems for hydrogen production.
Hydrogen Safety Specialists ensure the safe handling and storage of hydrogen.
Infrastructure Developers plan and implement hydrogen distribution networks.
Cross-Sector Skills and Transferable Experience
Throughout my recruitment career, I've noticed certain skills are valued across all renewable energy types:
Project Management skills are essential for delivering renewable installations on time and budget.
Electrical Engineering knowledge is fundamental to most renewable technologies, making this background highly transferable.
Health and Safety expertise is critical, particularly for installation and maintenance roles that often involve working at heights or with high-voltage systems.
Data Analysis capabilities are increasingly important as renewable systems generate vast amounts of performance data that must be interpreted to optimise operations.
Many professionals in renewable energy come from adjacent industries. Oil and gas engineers, conventional power generation specialists, and construction project managers often make successful transitions into renewable roles with some additional training.
Future Outlook for Renewable Energy Careers
The UK's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 ensures strong growth in renewable energy jobs for decades to come. I'm seeing particularly rapid expansion in:
Offshore wind, with major projects planned around the UK coast creating thousands of new positions.
Battery storage systems, which complement renewable generation by storing energy when production exceeds demand.
Energy efficiency, with growing demand for specialists who can help businesses and homes reduce consumption.
Green hydrogen, which is receiving significant government and private investment.
The renewable energy sector offers excellent long-term career prospects. Check out our article for more information on qualifications currently in demand in the renewables sector.
Getting Started in Renewable Energy
If you're considering a career in renewable energy, now is an excellent time to enter the field. The sector is growing rapidly and actively welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds who can bring transferable skills.
At Select Recruitment Specialists, we work with leading employers across all renewable energy types. Our team understands the technical requirements of these roles and can help you identify which area best matches your skills and career goals.
Whether you're an experienced engineer looking to transition from another industry or a recent graduate seeking your first role in renewables, we'd be pleased to discuss your options. Please send us your CV or reach out directly to our specialist consultants to learn more about current opportunities in this exciting sector.