Saulesh Minazhova, Lecturer, Department of "Energy" Satbayev University

Today, renewable energy is an important industry in the energy sector, especially given the growing interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable development.

 The complexities of the energy transition in the world

 According to the REN21 report, 2021 was another breakthrough year for renewable sources, despite restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising commodity prices (see Table 1). However, in the middle of 2022, the world was experiencing an energy crisis due to the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, which contributed to the development of renewable energy as an instrument of energy independence and energy security. This situation has particularly affected European countries such as Germany, Italy, France, etc., which depend on the import of fossil fuels from Russia. As a result, most developing countries have accelerated their energy transition by replacing fossil fuels with RES.

 In reality, the energy transition is not just a rejection of the use of some fuels in favor of others, but a complex and multifaceted process that requires the participation of governments, business, the public and the international community. It plays a key role in combating climate change and creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for our planet. For a safe transition to clean and environmentally friendly green energy technologies, it is necessary to take into account technological, economic, political and social factors. According to the latest research by IRENA and the UN International Labour Organization, the rapid growth of renewable energy in the global energy balance of generating capacities has contributed to an increase in demand for qualified specialists. Thus, in 2021, the renewable energy sector provided 12.7 million people with jobs, and in 2022 the number of jobs increased by another 700,000, and according to the analysis, most of the specialists work in the field of solar energy (see Fig. 1). In its analysis, the IEA predicts an increase in the share of renewable energy by 75% over the next five years, which will also lead to a doubling of the demand for qualified workers.

The problem of shortage of personnel in the field of renewable energy: the main reasons

The problem of shortage of personnel in the field of renewable energy can slow down the development of this industry and become a serious obstacle to zero net emissions. The main reasons for this trend are:

1.      Rapid growth of the industry: renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, are gaining momentum and becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental safety and the potential to replace traditional energy sources. The rapid growth of this industry may lead to a shortage of qualified specialists able to meet the demand for professionals in this field.

2.      Technical complexity: Developing and maintaining renewable energy systems requires specialized knowledge and skills that may be different from traditional energy industries. For example, engineers and technicians need to understand the technologies of solar panels, wind turbines, hydropower and other alternative energy sources.

3.      Limited education and training: In some regions, there may be no suitable educational programs and courses that contribute to the training of specialists in the field of renewable energy. This may lead to the fact that graduates are not enough to meet the needs of a growing industry.

4.      Competition with traditional energy industries: the need to attract highly qualified specialists in the field of renewable energy may face competition with other industries, such as oil and gas or coal industry, which also need professionals with technical skills.

5.      Regulatory and legal aspects: Some countries and regions may have complex legislation and regulations related to renewable energy, which may deter potential workers.

To solve this problem, it is already necessary to take care of the development of the personnel potential of the renewable energy sector. In the USA, for example, over the next decade, 537,000 jobs will be created annually in the field of "green" energy, however, due to the low unemployment rate (3.5%), local companies may have difficulties in finding qualified personnel. To solve this problem, US energy companies in the field of renewable energy began to train veterans of the armed forces, women and former prisoners for free.

According to the German Economic Institute, in the coming years, Germany is expected to have a shortage of personnel in the field of solar and wind energy in the amount of 216,000 people. In order to achieve its ambitious zero emissions targets by 2035, the German government has approved a new skilled workforce strategy that includes measures to help companies and businesses attract and retain skilled workers. Such measures include the training of women and pensioners, the involvement of foreign specialists and targeted training of young professionals working without professional qualifications.

In Japan, an acute shortage of qualified personnel in all industries is expected from 2027. This is due to the demographic situation of the country: a decrease in the birth rate and an aging population. According to Bloomberg, by 2040, Japan may face a shortage of more than 11 million jobs, 6.74 million of which will be for foreign specialists. In order to avoid such a problem in the future, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prioritizes increasing the demographic decline, and also allocates 1 trillion yen ($7.6 billion) to train workers in more highly qualified specialties over the next five years.

 The situation in Kazakhstan

 There is also a 20% shortage of qualified personnel in Kazakhstan, but this statistic concerns not only the renewable energy sector, but the energy sector of Kazakhstan as a whole. According to the chairman of the Kazakhstan Trade Union of Power Engineers Orazbek Bekbas, over the past four years, about 3,000 specialists have left the energy industry due to low wages and the unattractiveness of the profession. In addition, the growing interest in IT and digital specialties among young people aggravates the situation on the labor market, and may lead to a shortage of technical specialties. Therefore, it is very important to create a positive perception of technical specialties, provide stimulating working conditions, emphasize their importance in society and promote a variety of career opportunities.

Currently, there are 36 technical universities in Kazakhstan, on the basis of which qualified specialists are trained in the educational program "Electric Power Industry" (see Fig. 3).

As the study shows, most technical universities train specialists in the field of energy production, transmission and distribution, and only some of them conduct training in alternative energy specialties. In view of this, the creation of centers for the training and retraining of personnel is relevant. Such centers could include training of personnel for the renewable energy sector from various fields, such as:

·      Management: the complexity and scale of renewable energy projects (WPP, HPP) require qualified specialists in project management to ensure their successful implementation.

·      Legal and economic expertise: The implementation of renewable energy projects requires knowledge in the field of law, finance and economics to ensure compliance with legislation and sustainability of financing.

·      Engineering: Engineers and technicians play a crucial role in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of renewable energy facilities.

·      Maintenance and technical support: Maintenance specialists play an important role in ensuring the efficient operation of renewable energy facilities throughout their entire service life.

·      Research and development: The development of more efficient and environmentally friendly renewable energy technologies depends on research and development in this area.

 How to overcome the shortage of green energy specialists

 Summarizing the above, despite the relatively moderate development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan, the energy sector is already experiencing a shortage of green energy specialists. A timely solution to this problem will help ensure the sustainable development of the industry and bring new technologies to the energy sector in the future. According to the analysis, we note the main steps to overcome this problem:

1.      Development of specialized educational programs and courses aimed at training personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to work in the field of renewable energy: specialists versed in the technologies of solar panels, wind turbines, hydropower, nuclear power and other alternative energy sources; specialists engaged in the study of energy storage; specialists in the maintenance of electric vehicles, etc.    

2.      Creation of centers for training and retraining of specialists from other industries.

3.      Development of career prospects: providing professional growth and competitive salary.

4.      Awareness raising: organization of information campaigns about the advantages and prospects of working in the field of renewable energy, promotion of renewable energy as an environmentally and socially responsible industry. This may include events, publications, presentations, and the use of social media.

5.      Promotion of innovation: support and encouragement of innovations in the field of renewable energy can attract more specialists. The creation of startup accelerator programs, contests and grants can stimulate the development of new ideas and attract talented people.

6.      Partnership of universities with enterprises: development of educational programs, curricula and internships that meet the requirements of the industry, which will help meet the demand for qualified specialists.