Reskilling, upskilling + training
The future of work in the renewable energy economy Alicia Dean, Head of People and Group Services, SOLA Group T he renewable energy sector stepped up when legacy infrastructure was struggling to meet energy demand. Now, this sector is
Digital technologies and cybersecurity skills Cybersecurity is also an important issue. Modern energy plants rely on control and networking technologies that enable remote monitoring and data collection through digital interfaces, and that means protecting these systems is critical. Downtime or disruption can have serious financial and operational consequences. Therefore, cybersecurity training and expertise is increasingly associated with renewable energy. At the same time, the volume of data created by these intelligent systems has increased demand for people with data management and analytics skills who can support day- to-day decision-making. Their insights can fundamentally change how leadership perceives plant performance and operational risks as well as guide preventative and corrective maintenance. An evolving electricity market Looking to the future, the introduction of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) is going to change the demand for talent more. Energy trading, day-ahead forecasting and financial modelling are already well-established careers in the UK and Europe but are relatively new locally. South Africa’s move towards a more open electricity market will make these skills increasingly important, presenting an opportunity for skills transfer between the financial services and energy sectors. Making a meaningful contribution The renewable energy sector is also attracting experienced professionals from mining, oil and other heavy industries who are looking for work that carries more meaning. Many want to contribute to long-term energy security and climate resilience, and renewable energy oers a way to do that. Internal engagement data consistently shows that people working in the sector feel connected to the mission of building a cleaner, more stable future, although this is not their only motivation. The rapid change of pace in the sector is appealing for people who enjoy problem solving and rapid innovation. Meeting the demand for specialised skills This is where balance is key. The sector needs to build a long-term talent pipeline which recognises all parts of society, creating opportunities for skills development and career growth. Skills development o¦en happens in shorter- term, community-based interventions aligned with project locations and partnerships with universities and TVET colleges. Internship and vacation-work opportunities help create exposure, but do not yet meet the scale of national demand for specialised renewable energy skills. The construction phases of utility-scale projects continue to oer the greatest number of short-term employment opportunities, while operations and maintenance roles create longer-term, though fewer, opportunities. The sector relies on scarce skills in high-pressure delivery
changing the nature of the industry in South Africa on multiple levels. From employment to innovation to global best practice, South Africa’s renewable energy economy is transforming the industry. Yet, in terms of employment and skills development, the sector continues to grapple with some serious gaps. The first is permanence. The industry has not fundamentally transformed net job creation, with only 6 000 permanent jobs created. The rest are
Alicia Dean, SOLA Group.
temporary. Many people are involved in working on the initial construction phases of a project, but their skills are not translating into long-term roles. Another challenge is how the country’s exceptionally high unemployment rate is aecting how intelligent technologies can be adopted – automation and robotics that may make sense in other regions can’t be replicated in South Africa without displacing people who rely on jobs for their livelihoods. There is a constant need to find the balance between the drive to evolve and advance, and ensuring people aren’t le¦ behind. This dynamic has created a uniquely South African version of the clean energy transition. The industry continues to modernise, but in a way that supports employment and economic participation. In practice, this has widened the definition of what the renewable energy workforce looks like, bringing a dierent emphasis to roles and attributes that weren’t essential a decade ago. Specialised skills The move towards large-scale renewable energy deployments has increased the demand for specialised skills, although many of these are not entirely new roles. They are extensions of existing roles that have been reimagined by the complexity of modern projects. As more solar, wind and battery plants move from development to operation, there’s a growing need for asset managers, performance analysts, operations and maintenance specialists, and grid engineers – roles that ensure energy plants can operate optimally throughout their lifecycle.
The renewable energy sector relies on scarce skills in high-pressure delivery environments – a mix of technical expertise, curiosity and the willingness to take on complex challenges.
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28 Electricity + Control FEBRUARY 2026
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