Dublin – A promising surge in job opportunities is on the horizon for Ireland’s renewable energy sector, with reports indicating the creation of up to five thousand new jobs in the coming years. A recently released report by the Energy Storage Ireland Commission sheds light on the burgeoning energy storage sector, particularly focusing on batteries for electricity storage.
The report highlights a critical need for workforce expansion, citing that to achieve ambitious renewable energy targets, the sector requires an eightfold increase in its existing workforce. Currently, Ireland relies on renewable sources for 40% of its electricity needs. However, if the nation aims to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035, substantial job growth in the sector will be essential, alongside significant reductions in waste.
To attain this goal, the report underscores the imperative to bolster energy storage capacity from its current 700 megawatts (MW) to a staggering 5 gigawatts (GW). Such a leap in capacity would play a pivotal role in phasing out fossil fuels from Ireland’s electricity supply, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable energy future.
The prospects of thousands of new jobs and a cleaner, more efficient energy landscape make these developments highly promising for both Ireland’s economy and its commitment to combatting climate change.