ILO + IRENA: Global Renewable Energy Jobs Reach 16.6 Million in 2024 Amid Solar Surge
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
The ‘Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2025’ by IRENA and ILO reveals global renewable energy employment reached 16.6 million in 2024, marking the highest level recorded to date. While China continues to lead with nearly 44% of global jobs, India has solidified its position as a top employer with 1.28 million jobs, driven primarily by record hydropower deployment and a surge in solar PV. The report notes a shift toward a new phase in the energy transition where automation and economies of scale are starting to moderate job growth in utility-scale projects.
India’s Sectoral Employment and Capacity
Hydropower Leadership: Large-scale hydropower remains the largest employer in India’s renewable sector, supporting 503,000 jobs.
Solar PV Record: India added a record 24.5 GW of solar capacity in 2024—nearly double its previous record—supporting 385,000 jobs across grid-connected and off-grid settings.
Manufacturing Expansion: India’s solar module manufacturing capacity rose to 68.2 GW, the third-largest globally, though actual cell production lags significantly at 22.4 GW.
Wind Energy Growth: India recorded its highest wind capacity additions in seven years (3.4 GW), with the domestic share of manufacturing reaching 70–80%.
Biofuels Impact: Driven by the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme, the sector employs approximately 165,000 people, largely in seasonal feedstock harvesting.
Inclusion and Structural Challenges
Gender and Diversity: Women hold 32% of full-time renewable jobs globally, with India showing progress in specific manufacturing sites where women comprise up to 80% of the workforce.
Import Dependency: Despite manufacturing gains, India remains a major importer, bringing in 15.6 GW of modules from China in 2024.
Labor Intensity: The report highlights that decentralised rooftop solar is significantly more labor-intensive than utility-scale projects, representing a vital area for job creation.
What is ‘Decentralised Solar’ and why is it more labor-intensive than utility-scale projects? It refers to solar energy systems installed at or near the point of use, such as residential rooftops or off-grid community systems, rather than at large, centralized power plants. In the context of employment, decentralised solar is more labor-intensive because it requires a larger number of individual installations, site assessments, and maintenance tasks across diverse locations. For example, in India, while utility-scale solar accounts for 80% of capacity, decentralized systems offer a higher ratio of jobs per megawatt because they cannot benefit from the same high-level automation and economies of scale found in massive solar parks.
Policy Relevance
The report underscores that sustaining job growth in India requires balancing rapid deployment with policies that incentivize local manufacturing and inclusive labor practices.
Strategic Impact
Bridging the Manufacturing Gap: Narrowing the 45.8 GW gap between module and cell capacity is critical for reducing supply chain vulnerabilities.
Leveraging Decentralised Potential: With rooftop solar being more labor-intensive, policies supporting distributed generation can maximize employment outcomes in regional economies.
Workforce Accessibility: Expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities, who currently face significant barriers, is vital for a truly just energy transition.
Standardizing Vocational Training: As technology evolves, India must align curricula with modern requirements in AI-supported operations and advanced component manufacturing.
Follow the full report here: Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2025