Study: renewable energy as a driver of employment
It was found in a study that employment figures in the renewable energy industry are at a record high. A change of course in energy policy could cost jobs.
Gütersloh (dpa/d.de) – A study has shown that the number of people working in the renewable energy industry is at a record high. The Bertelsmann Foundation reported that around 436,000 people worked in the industry in 2025, almost four percent more than in 2023 as the previous record year.
It is stated in the report that wind energy continues to be the strongest segment of the renewable energy industry in terms of employment figures. Jobs in this segment increased by some 30 percent to 131,000 between 2023 and 2025.
The area of photovoltaics was identified in the study as another pillar of the industry with close to 100,000 jobs. Third up is the production and installation of heat pumps, with around 72,000 people working in this field last year.
It is explained in the analysis that there is a close link between investments in renewable energy and employment figures. The Bertelsmann Foundation’s labour market expert Jana Fingerhut said that in addition to further expansion, value creation in Germany was key. She pointed out that solar panels were currently primarily produced abroad.
“We must not let that happen again when it comes to the production of wind turbines, heat pumps and power inverters,” Ms Fingerhut urged, adding that the planned reforms in the area of energy had to be designed to protect jobs.
