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Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Global Wind
Workforce Outlook
2021-2025
1
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Copyright © May 2021
This document contains forward-looking state-
ments. These statements are based on current
views, expectations, assumptions and information
of the Authors. The Authors and their employees
and representatives do not guarantee the accu-
racy of the data or conclusions of this work. They
are not responsible for any adverse effects, loss
or damage in any way resulting from this work.
Text edited by:
Joyce Lee (GWEC)
Feng Zhao (GWEC)
Emerson Clarke (GWEC)
Ralph Savage (GWO)
Ed Maxwell (RCG)
Permissions and Usage:
This work is subject to copyright. Its content
may be reproduced in part for non-com-
mercial purposes, with full attribution.
Design:
L’Avantegarde Pty/Ltd
Contact@jeremivh.com
Publish date:
1st of June 2021
2
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Definitions Terms
Basic Safety Training
Definition
GWO training standard consisting of five training modules and regarded as the minimum
necessary to enter or work on an offshore wind project
GRIP Global Renewable Infrastructure Projects database, developed by The Renewables
Consulting Group and containing data on offshore wind projects worldwide, from concept
stage through to operations and maintenance
GW Gigawatts
GWEC Global Wind Energy Council
GWEC Data An annual forecast of projected onshore wind installations in 94 countries for the period 2021 to
2025
GWO Global Wind Organisation
GWO Data A dataset extracted from the WINDA Database listing all GWO Sea Survival and Sea
Survival Refresher training courses undertaken at all European training centres from its
launch in October 2016 to January 2020
GWO Trained Workforce People with a valid GWO training certificate
MW Megawatts
O&M Operations and Maintenance – phase of the offshore wind project lifecycle following
commissioning
RCG The Renewables Consulting Group Ltd
Reference Period The calendar years 2019-2020 for which representative baseline of training activity could be
established and correlated with installation and O&M activity
Sea Survival A component module of the GWO Basic Safety Training course, usually a pre-requisite for
working offshore on projects developed by GWO member organisations, and a proxy for
calculating the size of the workforce qualified to work offshore
Sea Survival Refresher A refresher course for the Sea Survival course, required every two years to ensure
ongoing competence
Target Countries The 10 countries of interest detailed in this report and for which country-specific training needs
forecasts are presented
WINDA GWO database for recording all GWO training undertaken and the details of all training recipients
WINDA ID Unique identifier assigned to each GWO training recipient, as recorded in WINDA
WTG(s) Wind turbine generator(s)
3
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Table of Contents
Forewords
Chapter 1 Executive Summary 7
Chapter 2 Modelling Results and Forecasts 13
Chapter 3 Country Commentaries 19
Chapter 4 The GWO Workforce Training Forecasting Model 31
4
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Foreword " With increased ambition two-thirds of today’s global capacity.
for wind energy, the poten- This will bring total wind installations
Ben Backwell, CEO, tial for jobs, clean power, beyond the 1,200 GW mark by the mid-
Global Wind Energy green investment, cleaner dle of the decade.
Council air and more sustainable
This means higher wind capacity tar-
development can reach gets in the medium and long term, as
greater heights." well as reforms to resolve the bureau-
cratic bottlenecks that make project
permitting too costly and slow.
We are no longer able see the ener-
gy transition as something that will
happen in the future. Scenarios from
both IRENA and the IEA are calling for
As the global community fixes required over the next five years to need to expand existing workforces to current annual wind energy installations
its gaze on a world beyond the install and maintain forecast wind build, operate and maintain mega-size to scale up by 3-4 times to meet the
COVID-19 pandemic, there is no bet- projects. renewable energy projects safely, 1.5-degree scenarios compliant with
ter signpost to economic recovery knowledgeably and efficiently. GWO our Paris Agreement targets. Without
than clean energy. Following last year’s landmark report and GWEC jointly foresee the require- an urgent step change in renewable en-
produced by GWO and GWEC and ment to scale up global training capac- ergy ambition, we will miss the oppor-
Not only can wind energy provide the authored by RCG, which provided ity to ensure the industry continues to tunity to limit long-term global warming
affordable, clean and zero-carbon an assessment for offshore wind job deliver on-time and with high perfor- and achieve our carbon neutrality
electricity to repower economies, but it growth in six key countries, this report mance. Standards and proper training objectives by 2050.
can deliver tremendous socioeconomic expands the research and analysis to are essential to protecting health and
benefits and jobs to rebuild local com- cover job creation and training needs safety as a core principle of industry The time must be now, ahead of the
munities. Large-scale wind projects in the onshore and offshore wind growth, allowing wind energy to attract momentous COP26 summit this year, to
have the capacity to generate a diverse sectors of 10 countries. From Brazil to new talent and safeguard its reputation unlock the full potential of wind energy
value chain of sustainable jobs, from China to Morocco, these 10 countries as a sector of choice. to transform our global energy system.
procurement all the way through to cover nearly every region of the world, Nearly half a million jobs will be needed
decommissioning or repowering. encompassing the largest current on- Then there is the opportunity to accel- to deliver our forecasts in this report,
shore wind markets globally like the US erate green recovery by encouraging and millions more could harness the en-
This report focuses on job creation in and China, high growth countries for policymakers to raise their ambitions ergy systems of tomorrow. GWEC looks
the construction and O&M segments wind energy like Vietnam and India and for wind energy growth, bringing even forward to working with policymakers,
of the industry – reflecting a small but emerging economies like South Africa greater value creation. Under current the wider wind industry and colleagues
vital fraction of the positive economic and Mexico. policies, GWEC Market Intelligence is in other technology sectors to realise
effects brought by wind energy. The forecasting 470 GW of new onshore this future.
fraction covered in this report alone What these 10 countries share is com- and offshore installations worldwide
encompasses nearly 500,000 jobs mon need and opportunity. There is the from 2021 to 2025 – equivalent to about
5
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
" Every day, hundreds of
Foreword
thousands of people work
Jakob Lau Holst, CEO, on our turbines, facing
unique hazards and risks
Global Wind Organisation
to build and maintain the
world’s renewable energy
infrastructure."
Working together with Global Wind producing this report, we explain in established wind markets where
Energy Council and research part- detail what we need to do to get there. thousands of technicians are already
ners Renewables Consulting Group, working on turbines like the U.S.A
in this co-authored report, we shine As the forecast model of this report and China, while also using the same
a light on one of the lesser-dis- shows, almost 500,000 additional people Forecast Model to guide the creation
cussed topics of the climate change will require GWO training or similar if we of a network from the ground up.
debate – our people. The workforce are to meet the world’s forecast instal-
making it all happen. lation quota of on and offshore wind, The Model calculates precisely how
while also keeping the workforce safe. many people will require GWO safety and
The GWO Trained Workforce Forecast- technical training to deliver forecast wind
ing Model provides credible business The world’s leading wind energy em- power installations globally, regionally
intelligence for investors, companies, ployers – OEMS, Owner Operators and and at a country-level. It combines GWO’s
policy makers, and anyone involved Developers – increasingly require GWO own historic training data with GWEC
in the wind industry supply chain as a standard for safety and technical and RCG’s forecasts, plus a wide variety
training up and down the supply chain. of variables to generate a reliable result.
Every day, hundreds of thousands of When it is available, they will use it.
people work on our turbines, facing I hope this report will serve as an input
unique hazards and risks to build and In other words, increasing the availabil- to all those decisionmakers consider-
maintain the world’s renewable energy ity of GWO safety training in all those ing investments in workforce safety.
infrastructure. We have a duty to keep markets where supply is currently lacking To the industry’s existing community
them safe so they can return home is our single greatest opportunity to of training providers, I hope this will
to their families at the end of the day. bring increased safety to more people. serve as an inspiration for your ex-
GWO safety training standards are one pansion into new markets. And for
of the most efficient ways to secure This report considers the need for training partners who are new to GWO,
this objective on a global basis and in a GWO trained workforce in both we stand ready to support you.
6
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
iStock-117702332_gwoversion
Chapter 1:
Executive Summary
7 7
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Executive Summary
In 2019, Global Wind Organisation
partnered with the Global Wind as a driver for economic growth and 2025. The link between the workforce procurement, manufacturing (the most
Energy Council to highlight the social development as well as a route to size and the volume of installations – and labour-intensive segment), transport
importance of safety, training and decarbonisation of electricity networks operational wind farms – is retained and and decommissioning or repowering.
job creation to power wind energy refined to account for factors such as The wider workforce needs to deliver
deployment and the global energy This second report builds on Power- the increase in average turbine size and the forecast onshore and offshore wind
transition. ing the Future, providing GWO-trained the movement of workers between coun- energy fleet through 2025 are there-
workforce forecasts for a range of 10 tries built into the model. As such, this re- fore larger than the training needs for
The first output of this collaboration, emerging and growth markets (the port represents an evolution from using construction, installation, operations and
Powering the Future: Global Offshore ‘target countries’) and expands the a simple linear relationship (applying the maintenance identified in this report.
Wind Workforce Outlook 2020-2024 scope to include onshore wind. ‘persons per MW’ multiplication factor)
was published in April 2020 and provid- to a considerably more sophisticated The key conclusions from the mod-
ed a quantitative analysis of how many The analysis continues to use GWO calculation that takes into account sev- elling work, as detailed in the re-
people would require industry standard training data as a measure of work- eral complex factors that influence the mainder of this report, are:
GWO training in six target markets. The force requirements and thus refers to size and growth of the global workforce.
report sought to answer the question: a specific set of roles involved with • More than 480,000 people will
“How much industry standard safety and construction and installation, operations Forecast installations for onshore are require GWO training to construct,
technical training is required, on a per and maintenance. Whereas Powering current as of GWEC’s Q1 2021 outlook install, operate and maintain the
MW basis, to work on site building the the Future derived a relatively simple which reflect the impact of COVID-19 world’s onshore and offshore wind
pipeline of offshore wind in the target ‘persons per MW’ value to calculate fu- and announcements made since the energy fleet due to be installed
markets, and how can we address any ture needs, The Global Wind Workforce 2020 forecasts on which Powering the through 2025. Of these, 340,000
workforce supply chain bottlenecks?” Outlook is based upon the outputs of a Future was based. Offshore installations will be needed in just the 10 target
bespoke workforce forecasting model forecasts are derived from live data in countries detailed in this report
The report concluded that a GWO- which assesses the impact of a range of RCG’s GRIP database of known projects
trained workforce of 77,000 people will interdependent influences on workforce at all stages of development. Annual • There is a significant untapped
be required to build and operate the needs, providing greater certainty in the onshore installation forecasts were opportunity for the training and
projected installations in the six target results. This will assist in supply chain provided by GWEC. Other intelligence industrial education supply chain
markets by 2024. development, helping to ensure indus- was sourced from industry sources and across all markets. Current GWO
try standard GWO training is properly targeted feedback from GWO member training market capacity is expect-
As the expansion of the global wind targeted where it is needed most. organisations and training providers. ed to support the training needs
industry accelerates, opportunities for of 150,000 workers by the end of
job-creation are of growing interest The model uses counts of GWO training This forecast does not include the 2021 and 200,000 by the end of
across the supply chain, particularly delivered during the 2019-20 reference workforce needs for other segments of 2022. With at least 280,000 more
to regional and national governments period as a baseline to forecast GWO- the wind project lifecycle, including in workers requiring GWO training
who increasingly view green energy. trained workforce requirements out to by 2025, organisations in scope to
deliver it are encouraged to de-
velop certified GWO programmes
8 now in order to meet demand.
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 1: Executive Summary
• Large continental markets with
established workforces like China
Global Summary
and the United States will benefit
Table 1: Forecast capacity installations and number of people requiring new training (2021-25)
from a combination of job creation
opportunities through continued
expansion and improved produc- Region Onshore Offshore
tivity via the use of industry-rec-
Installations Training needs Installations Training needs
ognised training standards
(MW) (# of people) (MW) (# of people)
• Emerging wind markets can Europe, Middle
develop their safety and tech- East, Africa 92,500 60.057 34,300 44,412
nical training networks from the
ground up to ensure alignment Asia-Pacific
(except China) 39,200 31,227 12,200 32,659
with global safety systems.
Americas
(except USA) 26,800 15,660 - -
China 194, 500 149,256 34,500 70,099
USA 46,000 51,624 9,100 25,381
Total (global) 399,000 307,924 90,100 172,281
Total 480,205
(global onshore
and offshore)
Onshore Wind Offshore Wind
9Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Figure 1: Forcast capacity installations and number of people requiring new training in target countries (2021-25)
Japan
11,180
USA
77,153
Morocco China
1,223 219,456
Vietnam
8,375
Mexico
831 Saudi Arabia
2,399
India
12,973
Brazil
3,737
Total Global South Africa
3,434
480,205
10Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Target Countries Summary
In addition to the global forecast for Table 2: Forecast capacity installations and number of people requiring new training in training countries (2021-25)
training needs, this report also exam-
ined the training needs of 10 countries: Country Onshore Offshore
Brazil, India, Vietnam, Japan, USA, China,
South Africa, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Installations Training needs Installations Training needs
Morocco. These countries were selected (MW) (# of people) (MW) (# of peaple)
for regional diversity, as well as span-
Brazil 9,700 3,737 - -
ning the largest onshore wind markets
globally (USA and China), high-growth India 20,200 12,973 - -
markets for onshore and offshore wind
(Brazil, India, Vietnam and Japan) and Vietnam 2,800 5,364 1,407 3,011
emerging wind markets (South Africa,
Japan 4,400 2,950 2,878 8,230
Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Morocco).
USA 46,000 51,624 9,100 25,529
Together, the training needs in these
10 countries comprise 70% of the China 194,500 149,257 34,500 70,099
global wind energy workers requir-
South Arica 5,648 2,434 - -
ing training for construction, instal-
lation, operations and maintenance Mexico 3,075 831 - -
activities over the next 5 years.
Saudi Arabia 2,116 2,399 - -
The requirements for GWO-trained
personnel in the target countries are Morocco 1,426 1,223 - -
influenced by several interdependent
Total 289,865 233,892 47,885 106,869
factors. While Powering the Future used
a simple linear equation to estimate
workforce growth, this report is based Total 340,761
upon the outputs of a forecasting model (global onshore
allowing more accurate forecasts as and offshore)
described in the ‘at a glance’ box below.
Onshore Wind Offshore Wind
11Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 1: Executive Summary 12
Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Chapter 2:
Modelling Results and Forecasts
13 13Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 2: Modelling Results and Forecasts
Table 3: Forecast workforce training requirements to 2025 in the target countries
Country 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total
Brazil 3,537Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 2: Modelling Results and Forecasts
Why GWO Training Standards?
The wind industry is experiencing expo- will be forced to re-train their workforce GWO standards provide a
nential growth. While everyone agrees from the ground up, just to be sure their globally recognised sys-
installation targets must be met to tackle employees have the necessary skills in tem of safety and technical
climate change, rapid development must basic safety that cause injuries most training courses that fur-
be aligned with careful management of often on a wind turbine. nish our workforce with the
the known risks and hazards faced by necessary skills, knowledge,
the technicians and engineers who help GWO Standards are a credible solution and attitude to conduct their
achieve our renewable energy goals. to this problem because they can be work safely.
validated and thus their increased avail-
GWO standards are the result of the ability is a priority for the wind industry’s specific set of wind project roles in con-
industry’s collective knowledge and major employers.The forecasts in the struction and installation, operations and
continued learning about these risks and tables above represent the number of maintenance
hazards. They provide a globally rec- people requiring GWO industry standard
ognised system of safety and technical safety and technical training in each tar- The forecasts are based on full penetra-
training courses that furnish our work- get market in each year of the forecast tion of GWO standards; they assume a
force with the necessary skills, knowl- period. . Since the model accounts for a scenario in which the standards are ac-
edge, and attitude to conduct their work range of factors influencing the work- cepted and adopted in all countries and
safely. force size – and therefore its dynamic on all wind projects at both construction
nature – the results reflect the volume of and O&M stages. The forecasts reflect
Without a system of safety standards training required and the opportunity for the number of ‘new’ workers that will
that address wind energy’s unique risk training providers to deliver GWO stan- need to be trained – assuming the same
profile, employers may be forced to dard courses that will keep pace with GWO market penetration as currently
improvise or adapt training from other the installation and O&M activity over the seen in Europe. Furthermore, the fore-
industries, or simply import their own forecast period. casts do not include the potential training
programmes at considerable expense. demand should developers, particularly
With proper oversight and safety lead- Training needs forecasts in those countries with limited GWO
ership by developers, OEMs and supply uptake, choose to adopt and migrate
chain, this approach will often provide a The modelling undertaken in this report their workers to GWO standards. For
satisfactory level of training. But once a allows us to forecast the GWO training large, established onshore markets such
project is completed and the workforce requirements for each year up to 2025. as the USA, these opportunities could be
move onto their next roles, subsequent These annual forecasts are presented considerable.
employers will have nothing more than in the data tables above by number of
a collection of resumes to judge. Most people requiring new training for a
15Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 2: Modelling Results and Forecasts
The growth in onshore and offshore The forecasts do not include require-
wind in all the target countries represent ments for refresher training; any refresh-
a significant opportunity for GWO and er training (for example, for the Basic
its global network of training providers. Safety Training modules) requirements
The volume of expected activity in the are in addition to these forecasts.
next five years is expected to require a Although some of the ‘new’ workers will
significant ramp up in skilled personnel leave the industry, retire or otherwise
in each target market and provides jus- leave the workforce (which is reflected in
tification for the expansion of the GWO the modelled forecasts), many will remain
network and the establishment of local and will require periodic refresher train-
training centres to support local supply ing which represents a further opportuni-
chains and the development of skilled ty for GWO and its training providers.
local workforces. It is also clear that the
wind industry is in a prime position to Finally, this forecast does not include the
make a significant contribution to social workforce needs for other segments of
and economic development in each of the wind project lifecycle, including in
the targets. countries, helping to deliver procurement, manufacturing (the most
widespread benefits through the energy labour-intensive segment), transport
transition. and decommissioning or repowering.
The wider workforce needs to deliver
As noted in Chapter 4, the model as- the forecast onshore and offshore wind
sumes that the relatively free movement energy fleet through 2025 are there-
of workers between countries will contin- fore larger than the training needs for
ue over the forecast period (except to/ construction, installation, operations and
from China, and to a certain extent the maintenance identified in this report.
USA). Should the target countries pursue
a strategy prioritising local content and Installation forecasts
employment – and therefore restrict the
inward movement of international work- The forecasts above are based on the
ers to meet the workforce demand – the following installation forecasts. The GWO
in-country training needs could be even Trained Workforce Forecasting Model
greater. uses capacity forecasts for all countries
(where available).
16Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 2: Modelling Results and Forecasts
Figure 3: Onshore Installations Forecasts (2021-25) - Growth Markets
9,000 20,000
8,000 18,000
Forecast Installations (MW)
Training needs (# of people)
7,000 16,000
14,000
6,000
12,000
5,000
10,000
4,000
8,000
3,000 6,000
2,000 4,000
1,000 2,000
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
India Brazil Vietnam Japan Workforce training needs
Figure 4: Onshore Installations Forecasts (2021-25) - Emerging Economies
3,500 2,500
3,000
2,000
Forecast Installations (MW)
Training needs (# of people)
2,500
1,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
1,000
500
500
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Mexico South Africa Morocco Saudi Arabia Workforce training needs
17Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 2: Modelling Results and Forecasts
Figure 5: Onshore Installations Forecasts (2021-25) - Continental Markets
60 140,000
122,000
50
Forecast Installations (MW)
Training needs (# of people)
100,000
40
80,000
30
60,000
20
40,000
10 20,000
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
USA China Workforce training needs
Figure 6: Offshore Installations Forecasts (2021-25)
14,000 70,000
Forecast Installations (MW)
12,000 60,000
Training needs (# of people)
10,000 50,000
8,000 40,000
6,000 30,000
4,000 20,000
2,000 10,000
0 0
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
China Vietnam Japan USA Workforce training needs
18Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Chapter 3:
Country Commentaries
19Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
In addition to the global forecast for second-largest source of electricity in
training needs, this report also examined the country after hydropower. Over the
the training needs of 10 countries: Brazil, next five years to 2025, Brazil is set to
India, Vietnam, Japan, USA, China, South install an additional 9.7 GW of onshore
Africa, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Moroc- wind, and its first offshore wind demon-
co. These countries were selected for stration project could start spinning in
regional diversity, as well as spanning the the first half of this decade.
largest onshore wind markets globally
(USA and China), high-growth markets A wind leader in Latin America, Brazil has
for onshore and offshore wind (Brazil, demonstrated the significant socioeco-
India, Vietnam and Japan) and emerging nomic benefits and capital investments
wind markets (South Africa, Mexico, associated with the industry. In the windy
Saudi Arabia and Morocco). northeast region, a robust domestic
supply chain has developed for wind
Together, the training needs in these 10 turbines and towers. The Government of
countries comprise 70% of the global Ceará has also signed an MoU with Min-
wind energy workers requiring training gyang Smart Energy for an offshore wind
for construction, installation, operations factory in the state and a pilot project
and maintenance activities over the next off the coast of Pecém. While offshore
5 years. wind is not set to take off during the
period of interest for this report, more
The following section outlines the wind than 1,200 GW of offshore wind technical
market growth outlook for these 10 resource potential (and a project pipeline
countries. of over 32 GW) make Brazil an offshore
wind market to watch. Offshore wind
Brazil is expected to enter into the Brazilian
market from 2027 (Ten-Year Energy
Brazil remains one of the high-growth Expansion Plan – PDE 2029), although
countries for onshore wind globally. Brazil currently has no specific offshore
Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 wind target, no clear leasing framework
pandemic, Brazil ranked in the top 5 wind (or financial support mechanism) for
energy markets in 2020 with 3 GW of offshore wind projects. New legislation
new installations. Wind is already the concerning offshore wind is currently
20Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
being drafted which may address some As the table in Figure 3 shows, this
of these issues. represents one of the success stories of
GWO standards establishing themselves
The free market has emerged as a pri- in emerging wind markets. At current
mary hub for onshore wind energy con- growth rates, Brasilian training provid-
tracts, outpacing the capacity secured ers may have enough capacity to meet
through auctions in the regulated market. demand according to current installation
Power sector modernisation, increasing forecasts.
corporate commitments to renewables
and BNDES financing models, such as Vietnam
the “PLD de Suporte” initiative, have sup-
ported the growing free market pipeline. Vietnam is poised for more than 5.7 GW
of onshore and offshore wind growth
The stakes are high for the top car- over the next five years. While it shares
bon-emitter in Latin America to acceler- strong fundamentals with its Southeast
ate deployment of wind energy. Brazil’s Asia neighbours, including rapidly rising
Paris Agreement goals aim for a 45% power demand and industrialisation, Vi-
share of renewable energy in the energy etnam’s excellent wind resource potential
matrix by 2030, including 23% derived gives it an edge in the region.
from wind, solar and biomass power,
and the government has announced an Wind power currently comprises around
“indicative goal” for carbon neutrality by 1% of Vietnam’s electricity production but
2060. is set to take off under the forthcoming
master energy strategy, Power Develop-
GWO training in Brazil ment Plan 8 (PDP8) for 2021-2030 with a
vision to 2045. Along with a high growth
Brazil is the fastest growing country scenario for onshore and nearshore wind
in the Americas, with regards to both exceeding 16 GW total installed capacity
certification of new training centres and by 2030, the draft PDP8 includes targets
the volume of workers being trained. In for true offshore wind for the first time,
2020, the market grew by 101% and 13 with a high growth scenario of at least 3
training providers have educated a GWO GW of offshore wind by 2030. There are
trained workforce of over 5500 people. over 60 GW worth of offshore wind
21Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
projects under development / consider- particularly as policymakers have ex- The government is targeting a 40% world’s largest manufacturers of wind
ation in Vietnam following applications pressed aims to transition from a Feed-in renewable energy share in the power mix gearboxes, and the largest wind turbine
for PDP 8, but the first true offshore Tariff scheme to competitive bidding. by 2030, including 140 GW of onshore production base in the region after China
wind projects are not expected to come Sufficient lead time and consultation with and offshore wind capacity. This would
online before the middle of the decade. industry and investors will be needed for require the country’s current operational Continued investments in India’s wind
It remains unclear whether an extension a smooth and transparent transition to wind inventory to swell by 3.5 times. But supply chain from leading internation-
of the current FiT will be granted to pro- auctions in the future. in 2020, India only installed around 1.2 al OEMs will make wind energy a key
jects commissioned beyond November GW of wind energy, due to significant sector under the current administra-
2021. Clarity on the FiT extension will be GWO training in Vietnam challenges around grid availability, land tion’s “Make in India” manufacturing
needed to enable the most developed allocation and power sale agreement programme and Atmanirbhar Bharat
projects to reach a financial investment At time of writing, only one GWO training signings. initiative for self-reliance.
decision. provider was at an advanced stage in
certifying a training centre close to Ho The degree to which these issues are GWO training in India
Altogether, total wind installations are Chi Minh City. Developers and OEMs re- resolved will determine how close India
set to exceed solar PV capacity by 2045 quiring GWO training standards for their can get to its wind targets this decade. By the end of 2020, more than 4500
under the draft PDP8 - reflecting the workforce training have often helped A stretch target of 63 GW cumulative people had a valid GWO training in India,
strengthening commitment from the gov- encourage a pipeline of certified training capacity by 2025 is within reach but thanks to the certification of 13 training
ernment to growth of the wind industry. in other nascent markets however, would require the active pipeline to be centres. With a further 12,000+ trained
Other growth drivers include Resolution barriers must be overcome if Vietnam is commissioned on schedule and greater people required by the end of 2025, the
55, which aims to open up opportunities to align with global practice and meet its installations coming from the commercial country is in an advantageous position to
for private-sector participation in the potential GWO trained workforce size. and industrial sector. Regular hybrid ten- accommodate global standards but will
energy sector, and Document No. 828/ ders of wind/solar/storage and continued need to triple availability of GWO certi-
BCT-DLL detailing implementation of India auctions for pure-play wind will also be fied courses and the centres themselves
long-term energy planning including wind needed to sustain wind growth, espe- if it can keep up with demand.
targets and interconnection strategies. While growth of wind installations has cially after the Interstate Transmission
slowed in India, it remains one of the top System charge waivers expire in 2023. Japan
To deliver this scale of growth, Vietnam markets globally for onshore wind, with
will need to expand and modernise its 38.6 GW of capacity. Over the next five India’s scalability and strong track record Under its commitment to become a net
heavily burdened transmission network, years, more than 20 GW of additional of manufacturing capacity has made it zero economy by 2050, Japan has set
where grid congestion and the threat capacity is forecast to be installed, in- one of the critical export hubs for wind high climate ambitions, bolstered by its
of curtailment are primary concerns for cluding the first 100 MW of offshore wind components and services in the Asia-Pa- recently updated Nationally Determined
renewable energy developers. Improv- by the middle of the decade. cific region. Its domestic supply chain Contribution (NDC) under the Paris
ing PPA bankability will also be key, is extensive, making India one of the Agreement to reduce emissions by 46%
22Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
by 2030. The industrial powerhouse’s Centralised auctions for offshore wind
transition from coal dependency will rely have already begun rolling out in 2020.
on wind power to provide increasingly There are now over 30 GW worth of off-
large shares of clean energy to the pow- shore wind projects under development /
er mix - particularly floating wind projects consideration in Japan following a highly
which will scale up towards the end of active 18 months of activity. The environ-
the decade. mental review process is time consuming
and has, on average, taken 4-5 years.
Until then, around 6.4 GW of new wind in- Officials are trying to push for a stream-
stallations are forecast in Japan through lined process; however, this is currently
2025, including more than 2 GW of in progress. A number of projects are
offshore wind to be commissioned from awaiting their EIA approval. Policymakers
2022 onward. This adds to the roughly will need to learn from the challenges
4.5 GW of wind installations already of onshore wind deployment, including
installed in the country overly complex permitting processes,
availability of land for renewable projects,
The government has already recognised well-designed grid upgrades and the
the economic opportunities attached to need to create efficiencies in data-shar-
the shift to clean energy. Japan’s Green ing. A robust and competitive bilateral
Growth Strategy calls for investment market could also accelerate renewables
in 14 key fields, from offshore wind to deployment among the country’s large
a strategic hydrogen roadmap. The base of industrial power consumers. The
Offshore Wind Industry Vision unveiled next Basic Energy Plan, due in mid-2021,
by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and will reinforce the actions needed for
Industry at the end of 2020 carried Japan to achieve its vision.
the banner target of 45 GW cumulative
capacity by 2040. The vision outlined a GWO Training in Japan
clear plan to allocate 1 GW of offshore
wind capacity annually through 2030, The two training centres currently
ramp up supply chain development and certified in Japan increased their activity
achieve a cost reduction pathway of JPY four-fold in 2020, and the country now
8-9/kWh LCOE by 2035. has almost 800 people trained accord-
ing to GWO standards. In common with
23Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
other advanced industrial nations, where years we expect the market to continue
GWO has yet to fully establish (see USA, to make big strides forward.
China) the absence of a global standard
for safety and technical training has The Biden Administration’s stance on
not necessarily prohibited growth, but climate action has given the US wind
the market can benefit from the twin industry strong tailwinds, underscored
objectives of increased productivity and by the recent commitment to reduce
reduced duplication by adopting one. greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52%
by 2030 from 2005 levels. A centrepiece
USA of the government’s climate plans is the
target to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind
With more than 122,000 GW of installed by 2030 - which aims to create around
onshore wind at the end of 2020, the US 77,000 direct and indirect jobs and forms
is set to retain its global pole position a long-awaited recognition of the sec-
as a wind energy leader, second only tor’s national significance.
to China in cumulative installations. The
country is also set to enter a new era of While the expiration of the Production
offshore wind deployment, with 42 MW Tax Credit for wind energy expiry after
installed to date across the Block Island 2021 is expected to dampen deployment
and Coastal Virginia projects. The next from 2022 onward, a series of presiden-
five years through 2025 will see around tial directives under Executive Order
46 GW of new onshore wind capacity 14008 pave the way for wind growth.
come online, in addition to just under These promote wind by targeting a
9 GW of commercial-scale offshore carbon-free electricity sector by 2035;
wind that already has a route to market prompting federal reviews of siting and
secured scheduled to come online from permitting processes for renewable
2023 onward. The total offshore wind energy on public land; and directing
project pipeline currently sits at ~44 GW, federal agencies to eliminate fossil fuel
and with offtake auctions / solicitations subsidies and shift to investment in clean
already planned in New Jersey, Rhode energy and infrastructure, among other
Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and measures.
Maryland over the coming months and
24Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
Wind is already incredibly cost-compet- China
itive across the US grids, and system
operators are now pursuing synergies Among the world’s largest economies
with hybrid projects and storage technol- and top emitters of greenhouse gas-
ogies. Policy which can further level the es, China is demonstrating that wind
playing field and ease market integration energy can be a key pillar of system-wide
and interconnection rules can see wind decarbonisation and socioeconomic
energy take off over the next five years, benefits. Over the next five years, China
bringing significant socioeconomic ben- is on-track to install nearly 195 GW of on-
efits to bear. shore wind capacity and an additional 24
GW of offshore wind. This is in addition
GWO Training in USA to its 278 GW of current onshore wind
capacity - more than one-third of global
Certified GWO training centres doubled installations, as at the end of 2020 - and
in number and volume of courses com- its 10 GW of offshore wind operating
pleted in 2020, driven by an increased across Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong and
appetite amongst leading OEMs and other provinces.
owner operators who recognise the
benefit of standards. With a target to A Feed-in Tariff for offshore wind pro-
reach 20,000 people in the GWO trained jects reaching grid connection will expire
workforce by the end of 2022, the after 2021, prompting a rush to market
industry has set its sights on doubling amounting to around 6 GW in installa-
capacity on an annual basis. However, tions. After a small dip in 2022, deploy-
current penetration remains modest, ment is set to return to the 6 GW level for
with 5425 people in the GWO trained offshore wind by 2025.
workforce across the U.S.A and Canada
at the turn of 2021. The Forecast Model’s Onshore wind faces the pressures
calculation of 38,308 required in 2021 of grid parity from 2021 onward, with
alone demonstrates the challenge and offshore wind soon to follow. Mecha-
the opportunity for businesses. nisms which can level the playing field
for cost-competitive energy sources
like wind, such as phaseout of fossil fuel
25Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
subsidies and emissions restrictions characteristic that is likely to continue as
under the newly established emissions other large employers join the system.
trading scheme - a national carbon mar- However, in order to meet its truly vast
ket of a monumental scale - can support workforce training requirements, the sup-
the acceleration of wind deployment. ply of standardised training may not be
possible through the work of these com-
Already a major manufacturing hub for panies alone. Goldwind opened its sec-
the wind industry, China’s well-devel- ond centre in 2021 and has single-hand-
oped supply chain extends from towers edly trained almost 2000 people to GWO
to turbines to blades to brake systems. standards in less than two years. Only
As a result, its wind energy labour force with several dozen training centres of
now amounts to more than half a million this kind of scale will the Chinese market
workers, a number which is only set match its ambition.
to grow exponentially under the coun-
try’s course to reach net zero by 2060. South Africa
Further supporting China’s reset course
are provincial five-year development South Africa has long been Sub-Saharan
plans for renewable energy and timeta- Africa’s largest and most developed wind
bles to reach peak emissions, as well as energy market. Despite a period of polit-
State Council guidance on low-carbon ical uncertainty over the last half decade
development. which stalled progress, there is currently
5,648 MW of onshore wind forecast
GWO Training in China from 2021-2025, according to GWEC
estimates. Moreover, the country’s recent
The growth and availability of GWO ‘net-zero’ commitments will continue to
training in China is being driven strongly drive growth.
by OEMs, with Vestas, Siemens Gamesa,
GE Renewable Energy, Goldwind and In 2020, the government approved the
Shanghai Electric all operating certified Low Emission Development Strategy
training centres. With owner operator (LEDS), which commits to various inter-
CGN Windpower also opening a cen- ventions which ultimately move towards
tre in 2020, the top-down approach a goal of net zero carbon emissions
to developing certified facilities is a by 2050. National utility Eskom, the
26Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
in principle to net zero emissions by consistently. This goal will require action Transition Law, and conducting a suc-
2050 and to increasing its renewable and coordination from private and public cessful clean energy auction programme.
capacity. sectors to be successfully realised. The auctions from 2016-2018 resulted
Necessary actions from government in- in US$9.7 billion in new investments
The increase in renewable energy ca- clude easing the regulatory environment, and more than 8GW of new wind and
pacity is prioritised in South Africa’s key implementation of approved policies and solar capacity secured at extremely low
planning documents, including the Na- creating a conducive environment for prices.
tional Development Plan which commits private sector investment.
to 30 GW of renewable energy by 2030. According to GWEC estimates, there is
It is supported by the Integrated Re- GWO Training in South Africa 3,075 MW onshore wind forecast from
source Plan (IRP) 2019 which prioritises 2021-2025, but recent measures under-
renewable energy, energy efficiency and A challenging 2020 in which the pan- taken by Mexico’s current administration
public transport, and specifically targets demic forced several training providers have stalled growth in this leading wind
20.4 GW of renewable energy (14.4 GW to shut their doors meant a small drop in market in Latin America. Developers and
of wind and 6 GW of solar PV) by 2030. activity from South Africa’s five certified investors in wind and solar energy have
training providers. Nevertheless, a GWO faced deeply unfavourable market condi-
The key consideration for South Afri- trained workforce of more than 1600 tions over the last two years, resulting in
ca’s net zero trajectory is the reduction people by the end of 2020, and more a dramatic “bust” of clean energy invest-
of demand for coal resources, which than 500 people trained or retrained in ment and installations since 2019.
has provided an economic anchor for the first four months of 2021 indicates
provinces like Mpumalanga. The IRP this market may match the Forecast In response, legal challenges to govern-
2019 stipulates that, to ensure a socially Model’s predictions this year in which ment have been initiated by the private
just transition, an engagement process just over 1300 people will be required to renewables sector. Further hurdles for .
must mitigate against adverse impacts meet predicted installations. clean energy development and genera-
of plant retirement on people and local tion will result in stagnation of investment
economies. Mexico in Mexico’s renewable energy sector.
This situation has put jobs at risk, not
Although IRP 2019 extends to 2030, it is During the last decade, Mexico demon- only in the wind and solar industry which
assumed that wind power will constitute strated renewable energy leadership counts at least 17,000 workers in Mexico,
an even larger share of new generation by setting an ambitious target of 35% but also in the wider value chain of indus-
capacity beyond this decade. To meet renewable energy in the power mix by trial and commercial sectors which are
the net zero target by 2050, energy plan- 2024, enshrined in the 2015 Energy committed to sustainable energy.
ning policy will need to be implemented
27Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
clean energy auction programme. The However, in a positive turn for Mexico’s
auctions from 2016-2018 resulted in renewables industry, a Mexican court
US$9.7 billion in new investments and ordered a definitive suspension of the
more than 8GW of new wind and solar government’s contentious new electricity
capacity secured at extremely low law in a ruling published in March 2021.
prices. The definitive suspension comes a week
after a judge ordered a temporary freeze
According to GWEC estimates, there is to the legislation passed by Congress
3,075 MW onshore wind forecast from this month, citing competition concerns.
2021-2025, but recent measures under-
taken by Mexico’s current administration GWO Training in Mexico
have stalled growth in this leading wind
market in Latin America. Developers and Mexico was a pioneer in Latin America,
investors in wind and solar energy have with three training centres certified in
faced deeply unfavourable market condi- 2016 and a further seven joining over the
tions over the last two years, resulting in next four years. Volumes of GWO training
a dramatic “bust” of clean energy invest- peaked in 2018 and have remained at
ment and installations since 2019. broadly the same level, maintaining a
GWO trained workforce in Mexico of
In response, legal challenges to govern- some 3734 people at the end of 2020.
ment have been initiated by the private With the country’s forecast installations
renewables sector. Further hurdles for appearing to stall, current capacity may
clean energy development and genera- be adequate to meet demand.
tion will result in stagnation of investment
in Mexico’s renewable energy sector. Saudi Arabia
This situation has put jobs at risk, not
only in the wind and solar industry which The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is in
counts at least 17,000 workers in Mexico, the midst of a historic shift. Over the last
but also in the wider value chain of indus- decade, KSA launched an ambitious, mul-
trial and commercial sectors which are tifaceted plan to transition from reliance
committed to sustainable energy. on hydrocarbons. Vision 2030, launched
in 2016, is the blueprint for this ambitious
national development programme, based
28Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
on KSA’s investment power to create a 2022. REPDO announced plans for an
more diverse and sustainable economy. 850MW wind farm in Yanbu, as part of
The sheer scale and scope of KSA’s NREP’s fourth round, and plans to build
vision has attracted global attention, 35 more wind farms by 2030.
leaving observers to wonder what can be
realised within proposed timelines. A key As wind energy in KSA finds its feet, new
part of Vision 2030 is the King Salman growth opportunities for the technology
Renewable Energy Initiative. are on the horizon. A new $5 billion green
hydrogen project in Neom, the 100% re-
The National Renewable Energy Pro- newables “smart city” in Tabuk Province,
gramme (NREP) most recent target is a case in point. This will be the world’s
is 58.7 GW of renewables by 2030, of largest green hydrogen project powered
which 16 GW is wind. The interim target by 4 GW of wind and solar. It involves a
is 27.3 GW by 2023 of which 7 GW is partnership between ACWA Power, the
wind. Saudi National Grid Company’s Kingdom’s largest IPP, and Air Products
CEO recently stated that KSA expects to and Chemicals. A proposal for a 500
attract more than $20 billion in renewa- MW floating offshore wind farm is also in
bles investments by 2030. development.
The Renewable Energy Project De- GWO Training in Saudi Arabia
velopment Office (REPDO) will make
30% of KSA’s capacity additions via IPP No training providers have certified in the
auctions. REPDO’s first wind auction region to date and with a GWO trained
in 2018 awarded the 400 MW Dumat workforce requirement of 2400 people
al-Jandal wind project to Masdar (UAE) by 2025, the opportunity for providers
and EDF-EN (France). The $500 million will be to deliver an industry standard
project – the most cost-efficient wind product in an as yet untapped market.
energy project in the world and largest Similar sized workforces have been
Middle East wind farm – is a big step for trained in countries such as Taiwan over
the sector. The project’s tariff of $19.9/ just two calendar years, at a handful of
MWh attracted considerable attention, certified training centres so the potential
and turbine erection is underway, with for large institutions to educate people
commercial operations expected Q1 in large numbers may be preferred.
29Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 3: Country Commentaries
However, the country’s geography may energy capacities between 2018 and GWO training in Morocco
play a part, with siting a key factor in 2030, which includes 4,200 MW of wind.
the long-term viability of any investment The Forecast Model indicates Moroc-
decision. Looking further, GWEC forecasts 1,426 co’s need for a GWO trained workforce
MW onshore wind from 2021-2025, and is higher in the short term, with most
Morocco there is still significant growth potential, of its planned installation taking place
both onshore and offshore. According to during 2022 and 2023. Morocco may be
Morocco is the undisputed wind energy a 2019 World Bank Group study, Moroc- able to rely on established connections
leader in North Africa, and one of the co has 200 GW of offshore wind techni- with training supply in southern Europe,
most advanced renewable energy mar- cal potential across 22 GW of fixed-bot- particularly in Spain where over 60
kets on the African continent. Demand tom and 178 GW of floating capacity. training centres are established. Howev-
for electricity in Morocco has grown Regional synergies, in terms of intercon- er, OEMs have expressed a clear desire
rapidly (6-7%) annually in recent years nectors and supply chain efficiencies to see training made available locally
and estimates suggest that the country’s with Europe, are also being developed as a means of developing a sustainable
installed generation capacity will need to and reinforce the strong growth forecast supply chain there.
triple to meet rising demand. for wind energy in the country.
The 2009 National Energy Strategy At present, Morocco’s wind industry is
set out an ambition for 42% of the total at work delivering the 1,426 MW project
installed power capacity to come from pipeline, which continues to position wind
renewable energy in 2020. This was energy as a significant source of local
expected to require the commissioning employment. These projects are being
of new plants to bring the total capacity developed as public-private partner-
to 2,000 MW of solar, 2,000 MW of wind ships under build-own-operate-transfer
and 2,000 MW of hydro by 2020. models, supported by key government
institutions - the National Offices of Elec-
In 2015, Morocco announced a further tricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and
planned increase in the renewables ca- the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable
pacity to reach 52% of the total by 2030 Energy (MASEN).
(20% solar, 20% wind and 12% hydro).
To meet the 2030 target, the country
aims to add around 10 GW of renewable
30Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025
Chapter 4:
The GWO Workforce Training
Forecasting Model
31Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2021-2025 Chapter 4: The GWO Workforce Training Forecasting Model
Basis and Introduction their own forecasts and timeframes to of the overall wind workforce who do deliver industry standard safety and
explore alternative scenarios. not typically undertake GWO training technical training. The training providers
The GWO-trained workforce represents – examples include vessel crews and themselves require business intelligence
a pool of people, trained according to The model is built around the assump- foundation and cable installation teams. to help match supply and demand. To en-
industry standards set by the world’s tion that historic training data provides a The same caveat applies to the onshore sure continued accuracy, the model will
largest employers in the wind energy in- robust baseline from which to forecast workforce. be regularly updated with new baseline
dustry. At the turn of 2021, this workforce future training requirements, subject data and refined as additional informa-
numbered just over 100,000 people, to adjustments applied in the model. As a result, the forecasts generated by tion on the assumptions made becomes
trained in 42 countries. Onshore and offshore forecasts are the model and presented in this report available. A summary of the model is
calculated separately to account for reflect the number of workers GWO provided in Figure 1 below. Outputs from
To support the projected growth of the differences in the available input data training providers can expect to train and the model are presented and discussed
global onshore and offshore wind indus- and the adjustment factors that need to therefore only part – albeit a significant later in this report.
tries, a supply of well-trained people is be applied. The model currently assumes part - of the overall workforce. Other
required, GWO commissioned this model limited transfer of personnel between the industry reports have sought to calculate
to bridge the gap in knowledge between onshore and offshore sectors. the total job creation potential of the
current and projected availability of wind industry and that work is not re- The primary purpose of
training. The primary purpose of the forecasting peated here. Furthermore, the generated the forecasting model is to
model is to understand the volume of forecasts indicate the potential demand understand the volume of
The model uses data on GWO training training that the network of GWO training for GWO training. Realising this poten- training that the network of
delivered during a fixed reference period3 providers will need to deliver to ensure tial will depend on the recognition and GWO training providers will
(Calendar years 2019 and 2020) and the global wind industry is resourced adoption of GWO training in each market need to deliver to ensure
combines it with data on the installed with trained and competent personnel. and the availability of training providers the global wind industry is
capacity (including capacity added and The output forecasts are therefore of to meet demand. The model does not resourced with trained and
the flux in construction activity) over ‘GWO trained personnel’. GWO training is yet account for refresher training, so the competent personnel
the same period. This relationship is not intended for all job roles, particularly forecasts essentially represent ‘new’
applied to forecast capacity installations in the construction phase, and is primar- workers joining the industry.
to calculate the associated workforce ily aimed at personnel working on or in
requirements. The model generates wind turbine generators. For the offshore The model is intended for use by GWO
country-specific workforce forecasts industry, the GWO Sea Survival module is member organisations who are the legal
based on built-in capacity forecasts, intended for personnel transferring onto duty holders for workforce safety on site
where available, although the model offshore structures. It should be noted, at windfarms around the world. They
functionality allows the user to enter therefore, that there is a component rely on an increasingly large network
of GWO certified training providers to
3 2019 and 2020 are the only full calendar years for which WINDA data allows us to calculate the complete workforce size. Delegates with valid training in 2018 may have completed their last refresher course in
2016, before the introduction of the database. They would not therefore be captured in the workforce calculation, resulting in an underestimate.
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