A new meta study from X-Academy has forecast a growth of 73,000 jobs in the UK energy sector by 2030 if governments and industry work together to accelerate the energy transition.

As a not-for-profit energy jobs accelerator that works in partnership with governments, the private and public sectors, X-Academy has produced the most comprehensive energy sector-wide meta-analysis of stakeholder projections to better understand the impacts of the transition on future energy jobs.

More than 70 workforce forecasts have informed this single, unified energy jobs forecast – ‘Seize the Opportunity’. X-Academy has collated and interrogated reports across all power generation (plus hydrogen and carbon capture and storage) sectors of the UK energy industry.

The median of all combined forecasts suggests a growth of 22%, (73,000 more jobs) by 2030 will be required, but this is still dependent on the extent to which government and industry collaborate.

Peter Tipler, managing director of X-Academy, said:
“Seizing the jobs opportunity in the global energy sector to create experienced capability and capacity in low carbon and renewables will ensure energy security, tackle climate change and power a new net zero economy. Irrespective of future policy, more people are needed to support our energy system. To secure that future and have the capacity in place, we need to employ more people now. The risk of not moving fast enough is likely to stall projects and investments.

“X-Academy exists as a government and industry delivery partner to accelerate energy jobs.

Our overarching recommendation is for public and private sectors to work in partnership to speed up progress. Targeted roles and increased labour in critical-path regions will act as a catalyst to the UK becoming a clean energy superpower.”

The research shows grid-related employment could see a further 50,000 new jobs by 2030. The current pace of development risks not only new grid-related jobs but new jobs right across the energy transition. Prioritising grid development is imperative if the UK is to seize the opportunity.

In even the most pessimistic combination of all forecast scenarios, biomass/bioenergy, CCUS, wind and hydrogen will grow. It is the pace of job creation now which will dictate the extent to which the median prediction is met.

Within the report, X-Academy recommends eight steps to enable the acceleration of new energy jobs. This includes the creation of more visible jobs now, showcasing the sector as an attractive and diverse place to work, and amplifying regional contexts with life-long careers.

X-Academy is a government and industry delivery partner to accelerate energy jobs. Launched in 2021 as a not-for-profit organisation, led by Xodus with support from the Scottish Government’s North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund and ScotWind partners bp and EnBW, X-Academy has attracted people from diverse sectors and backgrounds into energy roles.  

Programme cohorts are employed on the salaried programme where the organisation delivers professional development experiences where individuals enhance their technical, professional, and behavioural skills by working directly on real life projects with industry partners.

In 2024, X-Academy will be actively targeting projects and initiatives with the potential to unlock the talent, capability or infrastructure of UK regions, where accelerating employment has the potential to increase the pace of achieving energy security and net zero. In addition, plans are underway to scale as the UK jobs accelerator and expand globally with our first programme kicking off soon in Boston, Massachusetts in 2024 and promising opportunities in UAE, Japan and Australia

X-Academy strategic advisor, Andy Samuel said:
“The Energy Transition is a massive investment opportunity and challenge. Pace is required, more than ever, as the climate crisis deepens. Consistent policies with the right incentives and measures to remove barriers such as planning, and grid connections are vital.

Equally great people and innovation are essential to progress projects to investment decisions. Now is the time to seize the energy jobs opportunity.”