Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Renewable Energy Recruitment

June 2025 - Powering the Future: Jobs Growth in the UK’s Renewable Energy and Data Centre Sectors

The UK's energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by ambitious net-zero targets and rapid technological advancements. This shift is not only reshaping the nation's energy infrastructure but also creating a surge in recruitment for skilled professionals across the renewable energy sector.

The rise of renewable energy and the race for talent

The UK government’s ambitious targets, such as achieving 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, are fuelling major growth across the renewable energy sector. In 2024, renewable energy sources generated a record 144.7 TWh, accounting for 50.8% of the UK's electricity generation, the first-time renewables have surpassed the halfway mark as reported by the UK Government in their Energy Trends: March 2025 Report.

This expansion is translating into a robust job market. The number of ‘green jobs’ (in the UK) advertised in 2024 reached 272,178 2, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year. Notably, the offshore wind industry currently employs 32,000 people, with projections to rise to over 120,000 by 2030 to meet the 60GW target according to The Crown Estate.

However, this rapid growth brings challenges. A significant skills gap threatens to impede progress, with the offshore wind industry needing to attract 10,000 new skilled workers annually by 2030.

According to the national grid, the 4 main areas of renewable energy in the UK were:

• Wind: 21.7%
• Biomass: 6.9%
• Solar: 5.2%
• Hydro: 1.1%

Bridging the Talent Gap with Energy Recruitment Expertise

As the renewable energy sector evolves, the role of specialised energy recruiters becomes increasingly vital. Recruitment agencies that specialise in renewable energy, like First Point Group, are at the forefront of connecting skilled professionals with opportunities in these burgeoning fields.We are noticing more renewable energy companies hiring the following job roles:

1. Project Development & Planning

These roles focus on the early stages of renewable energy projects:

• Project Developer
• Land Acquisition Specialist
• Permitting & Consents Manager

2. Engineering & Design

Engineering is core to both construction and operational phases:

• Renewable Energy Engineer (Solar, Wind, Hydrogen, etc.)
• Electrical Design Engineer
• Grid Connection Engineer

3. Construction & Project Management

Overseeing the build phase and ensuring timely, budget conscious delivery:

• Project Manager / Construction Manager
• Site Manager / Supervisor
• Commissioning Engineer

4. Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

Critical for asset longevity and performance:

• Asset Manager
• O&M Technician / Wind Turbine Technician / Solar Technician
• Condition Monitoring Specialist

With a deep understanding of the industry's unique demands, energy sector recruitment agencies provide tailored solutions to both employers and job seekers. Whether you're a professional seeking to transition into the renewable energy sector or a company aiming to build a skilled workforce, partnering with experienced energy recruiters can streamline the recruitment process.

For more information on how First Point Group can assist in your recruitment needs, visit our Energy Industry Recruitment Agency page.

February 2025 - Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Renewable Energy Recruitment

The renewable energy sector is a rapidly evolving field, driven by increasing urgency to combat climate change and a global push towards sustainable energy solutions. As specialist recruiters in this industry, we're witnessing firsthand the transformative shifts happening across the board, creating recruitment challenges for hiring managers and several incredible opportunities for skilled candidates.

Recruitment Roles In Demand

One of the most pressing issues we see impacting recruitment is the intensifying pressure on grid and infrastructure. Governments worldwide are scrambling to implement faster grid expansion strategies to keep pace with the rapid growth of renewable generation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that annual grid investment needs to double by 2030 to meet climate goals (IEA, Net Zero by 2050 Roadmap). This translates to a surge in demand for the following professionals with expertise in transmission line construction, substation development, and grid integration:

• Engineers
• Project managers
• Technicians

An increase of hybrid renewable projects is giving rise to more renewable energy jobs. However, combining this with solar, wind, and battery storage, further complicates the landscape, requiring professionals with a holistic understanding of these integrated systems. Furthermore, the growing focus on Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids is creating new roles in areas like smart grid management and local energy trading, demanding a new breed of digitally savvy energy professionals. My recruitment advice for candidates should be to highlight any experience with smart grid technologies, energy storage solutions, and data analytics.

Read the full article on Energy Manager Magazine