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Metrics for measuring job creation by renewable energy technologies, using Ireland as a case study

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  • Dalton, G.J.
  • Lewis, T.

Abstract

This report examines the metrics used to assess the job creation potential of renewable energy technologies (RET) industry to the economy, in particular the use of jobs/MW, and assesses the reliability of their use. Results were analysed on an individual country basis with particular emphasis on Ireland as a case study, and compared to other reports available in the literature. The wind energy industry was the main focus of the study. Other RET industries examined were PV solar, wave, biogas and geothermal, as well conventional thermal industries. Data for the calculation of jobs/MW for wind quoted in this paper was taken from the 2008 EWEA [1] report "Wind at work: wind energy and job creation in the EU". The results of the study showed that use of jobs/MW installed in one year is an unreliable metric, as ratios are sensitive to installed MW in the year of the study. This paper suggests that jobs/cumulative MW may be a more reliable metric. Unfortunately the use of both metrics is common in the literature, and it is generally difficult to ascertain which metric type has been used or what method they used to derive the statistic. Furthermore, ill-defined classification of 'direct' and 'indirect jobs' and whether jobs quoted relate to national statistics or include export can lead to confusion and produce inaccurate and distorted country performance comparisons. Alternative metrics such as jobs/1000 head of population or MW/million head of population may be more reliable indicators. It is recommended that some form of standardisation needs to be created in the use of such terms for ease and reliability of analysis.

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  • Dalton, G.J. & Lewis, T., 2011. "Metrics for measuring job creation by renewable energy technologies, using Ireland as a case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 2123-2133, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:15:y:2011:i:4:p:2123-2133
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    1. Blanco, Maria Isabel & Rodrigues, Glória, 2009. "Direct employment in the wind energy sector: An EU study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 2847-2857, August.
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