Offshore vitality jobs might enhance by 50% by finish of decade, analysis finds
T
he UK offshore vitality workforce might enhance by 50% by the top of the last decade, in line with a brand new research.
In a report revealed by Robert Gordon University, researchers discovered the variety of jobs within the sector might enhance from round 150,000 to 225,000, regardless of various challenges.
The report says new renewable jobs might outnumber oil and gasoline roles if a profitable renewable transition is achieved.
The report – titled Powering up the Workforce – additionally warned that if the price of funding and exercise in renewables within the UK doesn’t enhance considerably, at a time when oil and gasoline actions are in fast decline, then as much as 95,000 potential offshore vitality jobs can be in danger.
The report says retaining the offshore oil and gasoline provide chain, its workforce and skillset over the subsequent 5 years is integral to the business’s future.
There is a large prize up for grabs and we need to equip decision-makers – whether or not in authorities, business or in particular person companies – with new perception to transform these alternatives into actuality
Researchers say this is because of restricted capability for the UK offshore renewables sector to accommodate the amount of expert oil and gasoline employees impacted by the projected decline of their sector till later this decade.
Professor Paul de Leeuw, director of the Robert Gordon University Energy Transition Institute, stated: “This report presents a range of workforce outcomes that could materialise over the coming years.
“There is a huge prize up for grabs and we want to equip decision-makers – whether in government, industry or in individual businesses – with new insight to convert those opportunities into reality.
“With investment at risk and wind projects facing delays, the findings underline the present-day situation for the UK offshore energy industry and its stakeholders.
“The big prize of a significant jobs gain is still within our collective reach.
“Inaction or simply slow progress will mean that offshore energy job numbers overall could drop by 15% to 130,000 by 2030, making the path towards net zero even harder to negotiate.”
The report stated the oil and gasoline workforce might decline from 120,000 to 87,000 by 2030 if there’s a managed and simply transition in direction of renewables.
A extra fast decline within the oil and gasoline sector, ensuing from limiting new funding and decreasing operational actions, might scale back the workforce to round 60,000 by 2030, researchers warned.
Analysis carried out by the analysis workforce discovered there’s a workforce “goldilocks zone” between 2024 and 2028, when the UK provide chain capability and functionality might be sustained, developed and invested in.
Prof de Leeuw stated: “The UK possesses all the attributes and resources to realise the ambitions set out in government strategies and forward-looking industry programmes.
“The report clearly shows that with the right interventions at the right time, the UK can achieve its strategic energy goals in reaching its net zero objectives as well as protecting and significantly enhancing workforce numbers in the offshore energy sector.”
The UK offshore vitality sector embraces the challenges and alternatives of the vitality transition
The report was praised by commerce affiliation Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
David Whitehouse, CEO of OEUK, stated: “Meeting more of our needs from energy produced in the UK means more jobs in the UK. The UK offshore energy sector embraces the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition.
“Not only in oil and gas but the future opportunities in wind, carbon capture & storage, and a hydrogen economy.
“This report shows that we must embrace the opportunity to work with all energy sectors or risk losing 95,000 highly-skilled jobs in the UK by 2030.
“When looking at our future energy networks and supplies, there is no simple choice between oil and gas or renewables.”
He added: “The reality is that to keep our homes warm, the lights on, and our economy growing, we need both – this report clearly shows that cross-energy sector co-operation is the route to delivering high-skilled jobs, a growing economy and a successful energy transition.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson stated: “We are delivering an orderly transition to net zero that maintains our energy security, supports high-value jobs, and safeguards the expertise necessary to achieve a low-carbon future.
“We have attracted around £120 billion investment in renewables since 2010, kickstarting new industries like floating offshore wind and tidal power, and are home to the world’s four largest operational offshore wind farms.
“A further £100 billion private sector investment is expected by 2030 – supporting up to 480,000 jobs.”