The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said at a press conference held in Abu Dhabi that the UN’s goal for providing sustainable energy by 2030 could create up to four million jobs in the off-grid electricity industry.
The job market for the renewable energy industry currently provides five million people with jobs, according to Irena’s senior program officer Rabia Ferroukhi. “There is considerable employment potential in the downstream linkages, particularly in the distribution, sales, installation, operation and service of such systems, which can be enhanced if well integrated with local commercial activities,” said Adnan Z. Amin, Irena’s director-general.
The agency’s leader, a native Kenyan, has held the renewable energy agency’s position since January 2011 after a tumultuous departure from its first director general, Helene Pelosse. When he took office, he said that the agency’s top priority regions for project implementation were Africa and the South Pacific Islands. Irena said of the 1.3 billion people who lack access to electricity, 45% live in Africa and 50% in Asia.
Alternative Energy Africa is trying to reduce its own carbon footprint. Ask about our electronic subscriptions