2023 is set to be a stand-out year for Renewable Energy with the whole industry set to go into overdrive, as existing energy prices continue to rise, the demand for alternative and ‘clean energy’ is higher than ever.
Renewable Energy and ways to maximise the use of alternative energy sources have been discussed many times over the years but were seen as a future endeavour. However, it is now a priority in the present, with many governments across the globe initiating policies and schemes to incentivise companies to get involved in renewable energy solutions. But what does this mean? Ultimately it is the shift in our dependency on energy from fossil fuels to alternative low or zero-carbon energy sources such as Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydrogen power.
As a result of this shift, renewable energy employment worldwide is continuing to grow astronomically, with over 12 million new jobs created just last year, which will continue to increase substantially going forward, providing an abundance of lucrative careers across the board. For example, a report generated by Warwick/Strathclyde Universities suggests that the demand for what is termed ‘Green jobs’ in Scotland is rising exponentially and up to 100,000 jobs will be created in relation to their plans to move towards a net zero future.
This is not a singular occurrence with a variety of new or expanding projects across the UK being confirmed over the next 3 years, including 135 new Wind farms which have passed approval and are awaiting construction. Other projects already underway include Wind farms such as Dogger Bank (off the coast of Yorkshire), Triton Knoll Wind Farm (Onshore, Lincolnshire), East Anglia Wind Farm (off the east coast of East Anglia, in the North Sea) and Inch Cape Wind Farm (off the Angus Coast), as well as several Solar farms like Cleve Hill in Kent.
This ramp-up in the construction of energy plants and farms means a significant increase in employment opportunities across several different role types and specialities. But what types of jobs are helping to further Renewable Energy efforts as we move toward a greener future?
Here are a few examples of the roles that will be in high demand going forward:
Planning & Project Controls Specialists
Planners are crucial to delivering any project, whether it is working a full project from cradle to grave, or just on a set phase e.g. FEED, Construction, Commissioning & Handover. Project planners help define and plan details such as project costs, schedules, resources, and quality needed to deliver a project successfully. There are different levels and specialities within the field of planning, from Planners/Schedulers who help plan for and execute the day-to-day activities of a project, to Lead Project Controls Planners who oversee the project in its entirety and analyse things like cost and performance, all of which contribute to a project’s ultimate success.
Design / Technical Engineers
Engineers are critical to any renewable energy infrastructure project, playing an important role in the delivery of EPC projects from aiding in design to on-site construction technical expertise. From solar cells, and wind turbines, to the transmission modes that distribute the power generated by these projects, all are a result of some process of engineering. These can cover a variety of specialities including Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, and Quality Engineers.
Manufacturing / Installation Technicians
These roles can encompass jobs both in a manufacturing setting or for on-site installation. Popular manufacturing jobs can include Panel Builders, Mechanical/Electrical assemblers etc., that support the production of components and equipment which will eventually make their way to be installed on-site.
On-site technician roles are two-fold, from the initial build phase and installation to continued maintenance. Jobs popular in the installation stages of the renewable energy project build can include Mechanical Fitters, Panel wiremen, and Electricians. These skilled technicians not only install the components/equipment to specifications outlined in plans devised by the aforementioned Specialist Engineers, but they also are responsible for the testing, fault-finding and commissioning activities as well.
Specialist ongoing Technician roles are also needed to ensure the continued efficiency and maximum production of energy generated by these sites. For example, on Wind Farms you will have Wind Turbine Technicians who monitor wind turbine performance to ensure the continued efficiency and maximum production of energy, as well as carry out electrical and mechanical repairs when necessary.
Project / Site Managers
Project Managers play a significant role in a project, taking the lead to ensure the project’s budgets and timeframes are consistently met during its build and installation. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the management of site teams & site activities, coordinating with different design & engineering managers and ensuring site health & safety.
A project will also have Site Managers with different areas of oversight e.g. Civils, M & E (Mechanical & Electrical) and Commissioning, who will assist and report to the Project Managers to help them to manage the day-to-day on-site activities at different stages throughout the project.
Procurement Specialists
Procurement plays a key part across any project, from the tender stages to the ultimate costing of the project, to the timeline of the completion. This process can impact a company’s ability to not only manufacture the required goods used in a project but will also be a crucial aspect in obtaining third-party raw materials, components, and equipment which are installed on-site and aid in their installation e.g. reinforced concrete or steel (primary infrastructure), Control Panels or Wind Turbines (components), Diggers or Cranes (equipment used to facilitate project build).
Systems / Software Engineers
In today’s forward-thinking sector of renewable energy, advancements in technology play a significant role in helping fuel the industry’s growth by enabling us to maximise the value of the power we generate through the efficient use of data, as well as monitoring the performance and health of the energy systems being utilised. From Systems Studies Engineers who research and evaluate complex energy conversion and distribution systems, working to improve energy storage systems, and analyse the efficiency of energy networks; to Control Software Engineers who are responsible for programming/integrating internal systems that run the power generation equipment within the energy distribution networks. Engineers with these specialised skill sets are key in transforming the way we understand energy distribution and help us to provide more cost-effective solutions as we work towards a more sustainable and ‘cleaner’ future.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Rubicon Consulting has grown to become a leading recruitment company working in niche vertical markets supplying top-rate talent to global industry-leading clients.
Within the Energy sector we are continuing to recruit for a number of specialist roles including;
- Procurement/Supply-Chain Managers
- Sourcing Leads & Buyers
- Projects Controls & Planning Specialists
- Design Engineers & Managers
- Electrical / Mechanical Engineers
- Quantity Surveyors / Project & Managing QS’s
- Estimating / Cost Engineers
- Bid / Tenders / Proposals Engineers & Managers
- Commissioning Engineers & Managers
- Site Engineers & Managers
- HSQE Specialists
- P & C Engineers / Designers
- Control & Protection Systems / Software Engineers.
Do you want to join the future of Renewable Energy and be part of the solution?
If so, get in touch with us today!
Send your CV to [email protected] or give us a call on 0121 667 8637.