Tracking Potential Renewable Energy Jobs in ASEAN

Abstract

Job creation in renewable is among the most significant social impacts of higher renewable penetration to the energy mix, but it also poses a challenge for countries to adapt to the changing work landscape amidst the energy transition. Hence mapping the distribution and projecting renewable employment in the coming years in ASEAN will be crucial as it would support the policy ramifications, job market, and economy. This research adopted data and scenarios trajectory from the 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO7) from 2020 up to 2050 with four technologies: Solar PV Utility-Scale, Onshore Wind, Hydropower Dam, and Geothermal. It is limited to three job types: manufacturing, construction, installation, and operation and maintenance. The data was processed using Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) software. The findings indicate that ASEAN's renewable energy (RE) jobs will reach between 3.9 - 5.5 million, with Vietnam and Indonesia dominating the share. Meanwhile, job share growth based on the technology is most robust in hydropower and solar. As new plants are established during the early years, job creation will be relatively higher, especially in manufacturing and construction. Further refinement of methodologies and continuous data improvement is vital to allow the better projection of the region's workforce on energy transition and provide opportunities for better coordination, planning, and investment to improve employment outcomes.