The contribution of renewable energy sources in the field of employment is now felt with the sectors of solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy to stand out among the “green” technologies as more mature “green” industries.
According to the relevant data of the European Commission for 2020, in the first place in terms of the number of jobs in the entire RES sector come the heat pumps representing a share of 24% and 318 thousand jobs.
They are followed by 22% of the total employment in the RES sector, biofuels with 238 thousand jobs and 21% wind energy with 280,400 jobs.
In addition, approximately 1.3 million people were employed directly or indirectly in the renewable energy sector by 2020, a size that is likely to have increased to date, given the rapid growth of RES over the past two years.
It should be noted that compared to 2019, the above number (1.3 million jobs) represents an increase of 65 thousand jobs (5.2%) from year to year.
The top four employment markets for such jobs are Germany with 242 thousand and 18% of total employment in the sector at EU level, followed by France with 164,400 and 13%, Spain with 140,500 and 11% and Italy with 99,900 and 8%.
It is noted that as of 2020, the “green” energy-related industry turnover in the 27 EU Member States was estimated at around 163 billion euros, representing an increase of 13.7 billion euros or 9.2% compared to 2019.
