A REPORT estimated that a 50 per cent increase in renewable energy by 2030 would lead to over 28,000 new jobs.
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Renewable energy jobs are created in the construction, operation and maintenance of renewable energy installations.
Related industries will also benefit.
If the 50 per cent renewable energy scenario is to be the way of the future, there will be casualties in the form of a decline in employment in the coal-fired energy sector.
It is anticipated that job losses from the loss of coal-fired power will be more than compensated by employment in renewables.
However, if there is to be a transition from coal to renewables, it must be planned well to provide for those workers whose jobs will cease to exist due to the change.
The energy industry in partnership with government must provide education and training pathways for energy sector employees to retrain if they so desire.
Renewable energy provides for local employment, unlike other industry transitions such as automotive manufacturing and steel smelting which have seen jobs move offshore.
Jobs created by a transition to 50 per cent renewable energy will be Australian jobs.
Most states will see half of all new jobs created in rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV).
Rooftop solar PV jobs are generally accessible, being located in areas where people already live and work.
This industry will be further stimulated through the lowering of the price of solar panels and increased efficiency and availability of battery storage.
The increase in investment and construction of large scale renewable energy installations which are set to replace our aging coal fired power stations also represent job opportunities, many of which will be available in regional Australia.
Large solar installations are already being constructed at Nyngan, Broken Hill, and Canberra.
Negotiations continue concerning the replacement of the two coal-fired power stations at Port Augusta with renewable energy.
As one of the sunniest and windiest countries, Australia has enormous potential to transition to an economy powered increasingly by renewable energy.
Currently renewables supply only 14 per cent of Australia's energy.
Research suggests that Australia needs to source a minimum of 50 per cent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 if it is to achieve emissions reductions consistent with its Paris commitment.
We can do this AND create jobs and growth at the same time.