Canberra A Renewable Energy Jobs Powerhouse

The number of people employed in smart and renewable energy related jobs in the ACT is surprising – but not so much where they are concentrated given the nature of Canberra.

The Australian Capital Territory covers an area of around 2,358 km² and has a population of around 380,000 people. While a comparatively small region in terms of area and population, it has been a hotspot of renewable energy activity.

Recent research by ACT Renewables Hub – an ACT Government/Smart Energy Council initiative – involving more than 250 separate employers revealed around 1,500 Canberrans are employed in the renewables and smart energy industry.

So, where are the bulk of the jobs? ACT Renewables Hub notes most jobs are related to solar energy applications.

The largest concentration of overall jobs is with the Clean Energy Regulator. Among its functions, the CER oversees the integrity of programs under Australia’s Renewable Energy Target, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. The SRES is the mechanism responsible for the national solar subsidy – the STC Scheme, which is more commonly referred to as the “solar rebate“.

The Clean Energy Regulator accounts for 360 renewables/smart energy jobs in the ACT.

As for the other top employers in the ACT:

• Australian National University – 300
• Federal Government – 112
• ACT Government – 100
• CSIRO – 50
• Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) – 45
• Neoen – 30
• ITP Renewables – 30
• CWP Renewables –  25
• Canberra Institute of Technology – 20

Around 40% of the jobs in the ACT are Government/Policy related, followed by 24% in Research/Training.

What About Solar Installers And Retailers?

ACT Renewables Hub pegs the number of solar retailer and installation jobs at around 343 – 22% of the total. And there are plenty of rooftops across Canberra yet to reap the benefits of solar energy that can keep these folks busy.

To the end of November this year, around 37,000 solar systems had been installed in Canberra and throughout the ACT. The Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) estimates 24.4% of ACT homes have solar panels installed, which places the Territory around mid-way in the rankings of Australian states and territories.

ACT 100% Renewable Electricity Powered

In 2020, the ACT officially achieved its goal to source 100% of its electricity from renewables. This was achieved through contracts outside of Territory and with local medium- to large-scale generators within the Territory; including Mugga Lane Solar Park (13MW), Royalla Solar Farm (20MW) and Williamsdale Solar Farm (11MW).

Small-scale solar power systems (<100kW) installed on Canberra’s homes and businesses have also played an important role in the ACT achieving its target, with close to 200MW of capacity installed to date.

You can find out more about home solar power in the ACT here, and see a list of SQ-approved solar installers servicing Canberra here.