IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) research shows that reaching the United Nations goal of providing sustainable energy for all by 2030 would create up to 4 million direct jobs in the off-grid electricity sector alone. Decentralised renewable and sustainable energy solutions would create jobs in rural areas and provide energy access to remote communities and this can be seen by many as an opportunity to develop that rural areas.
Rural landscape in Mallorca (Spain). Picture from No Frills Excursions (Flickr)
A report issued by IRENA in June 2012, shows that small-scale renewable and sustainable energy technologies are well adapted to the rural context, as the skills required to set up these technologies can be developed in the rural areas, limiting reliance on foreign expertise. The report, entitled “Renewable Energy Jobs and Access”, examines job creation in the context of rural access to energy, which to date has received low attention. The report presents 12 original case studies from Central America, Africa and Asia involving a variety of renewable energy technologies, including biogas, solar and small-scale hydropower. The report is intended to help policy makers and energy stakeholders design and implement successful rural energy strategies.
According to OCDE (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) the Renewable and Sustainable Energies represents an opportunity for stimulating economic growth in rural areas, however, it also requires a complex and flexible policy framework and a long-term strategy. Sustainable energy sources are not going to create lot of jobs, but rather some additional employment opportunities in the hosting rural communities can be created.
The positive impacts of promoting renewable and sustainable energy sources in rural areas are mainly the creation of local jobs, increase of local revenue, make affordable and reliable the energy to rural communities and increase capacity building and local empowerment as well.
OCDE recommends that alternative energy should not be considered as a standalone sector within regional rural economies, potential links with rural industries such as forestry or manufacturing should be developed through an integrated approach to renewable energy deployment.