India’s renewable energy sector creates 1.02 million jobs in 2023: IRENA

India’s renewable energy sector an estimated created 1.02 million jobs in 2023, according to the annual review by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Out of the 1.02 million, 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” the report said.

The report also suggested that the global renewable energy workforce grew to 16.2 million, up from 13.7 million in 2022.

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.

“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” the report said.

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 off-grid systems, the report mentioned

In solar PV capicity, India added 9.7 GW 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.

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.

In wind sector, the report suggested that 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.