A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy highlights how the growth of the U.S. wind industry could lead to even more highly skilled jobs in many categories.
The Energy Department’s recently released Wind Vision Report analyzes a robust wind energy future and quantifies the environmental, social, economic benefits from wind through 2050. As a part of this scenario, more than 600,000 wind-related jobs could be supported, accelerating the already tremendous growth of the American wind industry.
Complementing America’s 500 wind manufacturing facilities, the industry currently supports more than 50,000 jobs in services such as manufacturing, installation, and maintenance in almost every state, helping wind become a larger part of our country’s clean energy mix.
To estimate the number of potential wind-related jobs by 2050, the Wind Vision Report used the Jobs and Economic Development Impact model maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The tool is widely used by county and state decision-makers, public utility commissions, potential project owners, and others estimating the potential economic impacts of new electricity generation projects.
As the industry continues its rapid growth, demand will accelerate for workers who can develop, construct, operate, and maintain wind projects. In addition, America will need workers up and down the supply chain to manufacture and assemble turbine components and provide financial, legal, and other support services. These workers will also stimulate local economies through their spending, which will spur additional hiring and business growth in their communities.
With the country stepping closer to installing the first utility-scale wind turbines in U.S. waters, offshore wind energy is also a potential engine for job creation. America already has a number of ports that could be modified to support offshore wind development.
The installation of offshore wind turbines will not only produce jobs in manufacturing, transportation, and installation, but will also support a skilled maritime workforce and provide numerous other economic benefits to coastal communities.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy