DUBAI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released on Wednesday a report, which said more than 9.8 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2016 and this figure could rise to 24 million by 2030.
According to the report released during the IRENA's 13th council meeting started on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, falling costs and enabling policies have steadily driven up investment and employment in renewable energy worldwide since IRENA's first annual assessment in 2012. "That year just over seven million people were working in the sector," said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin.
"In the last four years, for instance, the number of jobs in the solar and wind sectors combined has more than doubled," said Amin.
He added that renewables are directly supporting broader socio-economic objectives, with employment creation increasingly recognised as a central component of the global energy transition.
The annual review shows that global renewable-energy employment, excluding large hydropower, reached 8.3 million in 2016. When accounting for direct employment in large hydropower, the total number of renewable-energy jobs globally climbs to 9.8 million.
IRENA's report shows that solar photovoltaic (PV) was the largest employer in 2016, with 3.1 million jobs, up 12 percent from 2015.
IRENA is mandated to be the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 150 members.
