In the last 5-10 years, US headlines have increasingly centered around renewable energy jobs. From local solar farms to nationally watched renewable energy powered transmission lines, renewable energy has become the forefront of job creation. What does job creation mean for local communities, how many jobs are connected to renewable energy, and can it be competitive?
Renewable energy is quickly growing in rural communities, and in New Mexico that can mean a new beginning for economic development in those communities. Places like Curry County (see our blog here) have revamped their entire base economy due to wind energy. Curry County not only gained supplemental income to landowners for wind turbines to be built, but the increase in jobs availability also helped local businesses stay afloat.
The United States has declined in energy industry jobs about 10%, while renewable energy grew almost 2% in the last year during a pandemic. Regardless of political power, renewable energy is set to add around 22 million jobs by around 2050. This will give rural communities a new economic industry to add to their towns. Renewable energy doesn’t just include wind or solar technicians jobs, but also union based electric, steel, and transmission positions. Union workers on average gain more income to support families in their local areas.
Union workers within the energy industry make renewable energy a competitive agent. On average, renewable energy is safer for employees than other energy sources. Safety, reliability, and dependable pay make wind and solar energy major competitors in the energy market. Bringing these jobs into New Mexico can make our state not only a leader in the renewable energy market, but also welcome in new investments and opportunities looking to participate in the renewable energy industry.