Playing a central role in helping to offset the impact of climate change, the UK's renewable energy industry is at the forefront of technological development, with a range of careers available for graduates
From wind turbines to solar panels and tidal barrages to biofuels, clean and renewable energy sources are increasingly familiar to everyone. They're now more important than ever as world governments attempt to meet international targets for reducing carbon emissions.
With the renewable energy sector likely to see massive growth, discover more about graduate opportunities in a field that encompasses aspects of both energy and the environment.
Types of renewable roles
Technical positions
- Design engineer - tasked with designing, building and developing renewable energy systems.
- Electrician - ensures the safe installation, maintenance and repair of the electrical aspects of renewable energy systems, including wind turbines, solar panels and heat pumps.
- Energy engineer - similar to a design engineer, focusing on researching and developing new technologies and processes to ensure sustainable energy solutions.
- Energy installer/technician - their role is to install and maintain wind turbines or solar panels.
- Heating engineer - besides managing renewable energy systems, such as heat pumps and solar thermal boilers, they also service conventional gas and oil boilers and underfloor heating.
Managers and consultants
- Renewable energy manager - responsible for taking renewable energy projects from design to completion. They aim to maximise production and profit while reducing environmental impact. You can also consider the role of a project manager.
- Renewable energy consultant - provides sustainable solutions and guidance to clients, including energy firms, developers, and government organisations, on transitioning to renewable energy. See 7 things you need to know about being an energy consultant.
- Business developer - explore opportunities and gain investment for renewable projects. With knowledge of tech and finance, you'll be involved with contract negotiations and adhering to building regulations.
Other relevant roles
Working in renewable energy
'It's an exciting time to join the industry,' says Juliette Sanders, chief communications officer (CCO) at Energy UK, the UK's trade body for the sector.
'The renewables sector is growing rapidly, and we're on the cusp of the scale-up and roll-out of new technologies like hydrogen, carbon capture and floating offshore wind. Alongside that, we'll see big growth in flexibility, storage solutions and home decarbonisation like heat pumps.'
Over the coming years, hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities will become available nationwide - see the opportunities in wind and solar power below. These jobs are crucial to building the infrastructure to produce clean energy.
Working in renewables offers the chance to be part of a growing industry and to help protect the environment.
If your passion lies in this area, read more about environmental careers.
A renewable energy project requires contributions from people with various backgrounds and skill sets, including commercial skills. Read more about the skills employers want.
'Not all those jobs require a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) background,' explains Juliette. 'Yes, we're going to need engineers and technicians, but there are a whole host of other professions supporting and within the sector - from lawyers, accountants and medics to digital media, public affairs and policy.'
You could work outdoors on land or at sea, in an office or a laboratory. Many roles provide opportunities to travel and work abroad.
Renewable energy qualifications and training
Science and engineering degrees
To pursue a career in renewable energy, studying for an undergraduate degree in a related subject is advisable.
The following engineering and science-related subjects can provide a good grounding in this field:
- chemical engineering
- chemistry
- electrical engineering
- environmental science
- mechanical engineering
- physics.
For instance, the BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Energy Systems) at Brunel, University of London, is perfect for specialising in sustainable electrical energy systems.
The three-year course, accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), can be extended by a year to include an industry work placement. The year spent working for a leading engineering or technology company provides you with invaluable professional experience.
Get the lowdown on general engineering courses.
BEng Renewable Energy courses
Several options are available for those seeking a specialist Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in renewable energy, including the BEng Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of Exeter.
The course, which allows you to explore clean and renewable energy technologies in depth, is accredited by the:
You'll gain a strong foundation in a range of areas, including:
- biofuels
- electrical power and networks
- energy policy
- marine renewables
- photo-voltaic (PV) and thermal technologies
- wind.
To gain entry to the three-year programme, you'll typically need AAB to ABB at A-level.
Other specialist undergraduate BEng options include:
- BEng Energy and Sustainability Engineering - City St George's, University of London
- BEng Energy Engineering - Loughborough University
- BEng Renewable & Sustainable Energy Engineering - University of Lancashire.
Masters in renewable energy
If you'd like to study the subject at postgraduate level, a Master of Science (MSc) degree can also help you stand out from the competition.
The selection of renewable energy courses includes the following:
- MSc Renewable Energy - Cranfield University
- MSc Renewable Energy - The University of Warwick
- MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology - The University of Manchester
- MSc Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management - City St George's, University of London
- MSc Renewable Energy Engineering - Heriot-Watt University.
Search postgraduate courses in renewable energy.
Online renewable energy courses
The Renewable Energy Institute (REI) offers a range of short online courses for those who would benefit from the flexibility of distance and online learning.
These include the following on-demand courses:
- Biomass
- Electrics for Renewables
- Renewable Energy Consultant Expert Certificate
- Renewable Energy Management and Finance
- Renewable Energy Solutions.
A 30-credit OU level 3 undergraduate module in Renewable Energy that can count towards a foundation or honours degree is available from The Open University.
Online renewable energy courses are also available through Coursera and the University of Aberdeen Online.
Explore general CPD opportunities for graduates.
Earning potential in renewables
All types of engineers are needed - from general mechanical, design and environmental engineers to more specific wind energy engineers. Those with design and technical skills, including landscape and wind analysis, will also be required.
Starting salaries for these renewable roles can vary from £19,000 to £28,000, depending on the job, company and location. The average wage for renewable energy professionals is £38,000, but many positions require the right qualifications and experience.
Where to find renewable jobs
Many smaller energy companies are challenging the so-called 'big six' traditional suppliers, which include:
Indeed, around 6,500 companies now operate within this sector, with newly created jobs spread around the country.
Leading employers engaged in solar, wind, and water power offer early careers programmes in renewable energy, such as:
These include:
View the range of renewable careers at RenewableUK - Job Finder.
To connect with students and those with up to ten years of experience in the sector, you can join Energy UK's Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum.
It's free to become a member, and you'll benefit from:
- networking events and awards
- panel evenings with industry experts
- site visits to wind farms, nuclear power stations, and other energy infrastructure.
The forum has produced a Guide to Jobs in Energy that highlights the full range of jobs in the sector.
Opportunities in wind and solar power
The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) and RenewableUK have jointly produced the Wind Industry Skills Intelligence Report 2025, which shows that 55,000 people work across onshore and offshore wind in the UK.
However, offshore wind alone supports close to 40,000 direct and indirect jobs across the UK, with 75,000 roles needed to be filled by 2030 to meet minimum government targets. In an ideal scenario, 94,000 offshore wind workers would be hired to deliver 52 gigawatts (GW) of energy.
For onshore wind, 19,000 workers would be required to install 27GW of capacity by this deadline.
In 2025, over a third of the workforce (35%) was based in Scotland, followed by:
- East of England (19%)
- Yorkshire and the Humber (14%)
- North East (8%)
- Wales (7%)
- North West England (6%)
- Northern Ireland (5%).
All parts of the UK are benefiting from the green industrial revolution.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revealed in its Renewables 2025 report that renewables are set to double their capacity by 2030, reaching 4,600GW.
While wind is considered a growing renewable energy source, this rapid rise is spearheaded by solar PV (photovoltaic) systems, which consist of solar panels. Due to the economic possibilities they offer, solar panels will account for 95% of growth by the end of the decade. The trend towards reliance on renewables will likely create a number of UK jobs.
Ensuring greater diversity in the workforce
Promoting diversity is a key priority for the sector, as it seeks to secure the best talent from different backgrounds.
While the OWIC/RenewableUK report revealed that over a fifth (22%) of those working in offshore wind are women - an increase of over 6% since 2023 - there's still room for improvement, as the industry hopes to achieve its target of a 33% women workforce by 2030.
In the solar PV industry, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has revealed that the number of full-time women employees has reached 40%, but this is still well below the global average of 46%.
More girls are encouraged to study STEM subjects at school so that they can continue studying them at university. The aim is to achieve a representative gender mix at all levels and foster diversity in areas such as ethnicity and sexual orientation.
The industry is collaborating to improve the diversity of its workforce through Tackling Inclusion and Diversity in Energy (TIDE), which looks across all forms of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and aims to make it as easy as possible to improve this within the energy sector.
Read about opportunities for women in engineering.
A bright future for renewables
Another attraction of working in the industry is its expected longevity as the UK transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. 'The UK has halved its emissions since 1990, largely thanks to the power sector,' says Juliette. 'The actions over the next decade will shape our future, and whichever part of the industry you work in, you're contributing to that.'
Renewable energy is now the country's largest source of electricity, generating over half (52.5%) of our annual power needs, according to the government's Energy Trends (March 2026) report.
The statistical release showed that wind generation increased by 4% to a new record high, while solar energy also surpassed previous figures. However, the nuclear output was at a record low, nearly offsetting the growth in renewables.
Production levels will need to be ramped up in the years ahead to meet the UK's carbon reduction targets, but this will also mean more options for those looking to enter the industry.
Find out more
- Get an overview of the UK's energy industry.
- Discover how to become an engineer.
- Explore careers in the engineering and environment sectors.