Moving to 50% renewables by 2030 would create more than 28,000 jobs nationally, research by Ernst & Young (EY) and the Climate Council has found.
The Renewable Energy: Future Jobs and Growth report finds that 50% renewable electricity by 2030 will create almost 50% more employment than our business as usual trajectory.
Jobs will be created in the construction, operation and maintenance of renewable energy installations, as well as in related industries, the researchers found.
Job losses in coal-fired electricity generation are expected to be more than compensated for by increased employment in the renewable energy sector.
The net effect on jobs will be positive in every state. NSW and Queensland will have the largest net growth in jobs, around 11,000 and 6,000 respectively; and South Australia and NSW will experience the largest per capita jobs growth.
Victoria will see a net gain of around 4,000 jobs by 2030.
Most states will see half of all new jobs created in rooftop solar photovoltaics. Utility scale renewable power in regional and remote areas may offer opportunities to increase employment in those regions.
Download and read the Renewable Energy: Future Jobs and Growth report.