Renewable energy promises job boom

Barbados’ ambitious drive toward 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 is poised to generate a surge of career opportunities in diverse fields, from solar energy to waste-to-energy systems, according to experts at the Barbados Sustainable Energy Youth Forum on Thursday.

Painting a promising picture for young Barbadians, the experts urged them to prepare for roles in a sector pivotal to the island’s economic and environmental future.

Walter Harris, a lecturer in the Faculty of Natural Science at the Barbados Community College, outlined emerging roles in solar, wind and waste-to-energy systems, including positions such as solar panel installation technicians, battery storage specialists, and smart grid analysts.

“Science is a big part of the renewable energy sector,” he said, urging students to focus on Mathematics and environmental sciences to capitalise on these opportunities.

The transition also requires specialists in areas like quality assurance, sales, and marketing, as well as policymakers and accountants to support the industry’s growth.

“We need people to research the sector, innovate as trends develop, and even create startups as energy consultants,” Harris said, noting the opportunities for entrepreneurial endeavours.

Panellists told students of the importance of entrepreneurship in renewable energy, further pointing to opportunities such as app development for monitoring home energy usage and consulting on energy efficiency.

Senior Technical Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Destine Gay, also touched on the possibilities of self-employment, emphasising the benefits of pursuing a trade or skill in renewable energy – a field she describes as in high demand.

“It gives you autonomy, financial control, and a career path that is least likely to be replaced by [Artificial Intelligence],” she said, adding that the sector also offers self-employment opportunities, such as maintaining inverters and electric vehicles or installing renewable energy systems.

Shedding light on the current landscape of sustainable power within the island, Manager of the Renewable Energy Business Unit at the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited, Robert Harewood noted that some 99 per cent of the renewable energy connected to the grid in Barbados is solar.

He further noted that biofuel and waste-to-energy projects are also being explored.

The Barbados Sustainable Energy Youth Forum, part of CARICOM Energy Month, aims to prepare young Barbadians for the opportunities and challenges of the renewable energy sector.

Though the panellists admitted that the goal may not be reached within the specified timeframe, they stressed the importance of prioritising the transition and reducing fossil fuel imports, which currently total 750 000 barrels annually. (SM)