How Many People Work In Hydropower?
Hydropower is the process of generating electricity by using the energy from flowing water. It is one of the oldest and most widely-used renewable energy sources. Hydropower provides around 16% of the world’s electricity supply, making it an essential contributor to the global energy mix.
Understanding employment levels in the hydropower industry provides valuable insights into the significance and growth of this renewable energy sector. The number of hydropower jobs reflects the construction of new facilities, the operation and maintenance of existing plants, as well as the manufacturing of hydropower equipment.
This article will analyze hydropower employment globally and within key countries. It will look at jobs in power generation, construction, equipment manufacturing, and related roles. The goal is to illuminate the scale of the hydropower workforce and the types of jobs available in this important renewable energy field.
Global Hydropower Employment
The global hydropower sector employed approximately 2.49 million people in 2022, according to the Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2023. This represents a 2.3% increase in hydropower jobs from 2021, when the industry employed around 2.44 million people worldwide.
Employment in the hydropower sector has seen steady growth over the past decade. In 2012, there were an estimated 2.05 million hydropower jobs globally. The number of hydropower jobs worldwide increased to 2.3 million by 2017 and has continued to rise in the years since.
Projections indicate global hydropower employment will likely continue to grow in the coming years. Emerging markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are expected to drive much of this job growth as they expand hydropower capacity to meet rising electricity demand.
Hydropower Employment by Region
According to National Renewable Energy Laboratory reports on the U.S. hydropower workforce, hydropower jobs vary significantly by region. The distribution of these jobs depends on factors such as the number of hydropower facilities, construction projects, and manufacturing capabilities in each area.
In Asia, China accounts for the largest share of hydropower employment globally. With over half of the world’s total installed hydropower capacity, China has a robust domestic hydropower industry employing hundreds of thousands of workers in generation, construction, and manufacturing. Other countries like India, Japan, and Vietnam also provide significant hydropower jobs in the region.
Europe possesses the second highest installed hydropower capacity after Asia. Major employers include Norway, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. These countries have long-established hydropower facilities along with active construction and equipment manufacturing that employ skilled technicians and engineers.
The Americas, led by the United States, Canada, and Brazil, also have a sizable hydropower workforce. In the U.S., hydropower jobs are concentrated in the West, Southeast, and Northeast. Key jobs include power plant operators, electricians, machinists, welders, mechanics, and civil engineers.
In Africa, countries like Zambia, Ethiopia, and Mozambique have growing hydropower sectors and employment. However, the scale is smaller than other major regions for now. Overall, the distribution of hydropower jobs worldwide correlates strongly with the location of facilities and regional industry size.
Hydropower Employment in China
China is the world’s largest producer of hydropower, with an installed capacity of over 350 GW as of 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of global hydropower capacity (IRENA). This massive hydropower capacity requires a sizable workforce to construct, operate and maintain the facilities.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2022 review, China had approximately 872,300 direct jobs in the hydropower sector as of 2020 (IRENA). This represents over 20% of the global hydropower workforce. The majority of these jobs are concentrated in operation and maintenance of existing hydropower plants. However, a significant number are also involved in the construction of new dams and power stations to expand China’s hydropower capacity.
With China planning to increase its hydropower capacity by 25% to 450 GW by 2030, the number of hydropower jobs is also expected to rise substantially. Several massive hydropower projects currently under construction, like the Wudongde dam, will require tens of thousands of skilled workers. Therefore, hydropower employment in China looks set to grow further and consolidate its position as the largest hydropower job market globally.
Hydropower Employment in the US
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, there are about 66,000 hydropower jobs in the United States as of 2017 (Workforce Development for Hydropower). While the U.S. has significant hydropower capacity, employment is relatively low compared to other countries because the infrastructure is aging and requires less maintenance and operational staff.
However, job opportunities in hydropower are expected to grow in the coming years. A projection by the Department of Energy estimates over 25,000 new hydropower jobs may be created by 2050 as existing infrastructure is updated and expanded. Most of these new jobs will likely be in construction and turbine manufacturing to support hydropower modernization projects (Workforce Development for Hydropower).
There will also be steady demand for engineers, technicians, and plant operators to operate and maintain both existing and new hydropower facilities. Renewable energy targets and climate change concerns are expected to further boost U.S. hydropower capacity and jobs in the long term.
Jobs in Hydropower Generation
The operation and maintenance of hydropower plants require a range of skilled professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were over 6,500 hydropower plant operators in the United States as of 2021.[1] Their job is to control, operate and maintain the equipment in hydropower plants. This includes monitoring the plant’s operation, troubleshooting issues, performing routine maintenance, and handling emergencies. The BLS projects job growth for plant operators overall to be 3% between 2021-2031, near the national average.[2]
Other roles involved in hydropower plant operation and maintenance include mechanics, electricians, engineers, and technicians. Their responsibilities can include inspecting equipment, repairing turbines and generators, optimizing performance, and implementing new technologies. Strong technical skills are required to handle the complex machinery and systems. Opportunities may be found at generation facilities of all sizes, from large dams to small micro hydropower sites.
Jobs in Hydropower Construction
There are a sizable number of jobs involved in constructing new hydropower projects. According to Big Rentz, hydropower construction accounted for 16% of all employed positions in the construction industry in 2019. This includes jobs such as civil engineers, project managers, equipment operators, electricians, welders, carpenters, and general construction laborers.
Building a new hydropower dam requires extensive planning, surveying, design work, excavation, concrete work, turbine/generator installation, transmission line construction, and more. Larger projects can employ thousands of workers over several years of construction. For example, the massive Three Gorges Dam project in China had a peak workforce of around 40,000 people involved in its construction throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s.
Developing countries with major hydropower potential often have a strong demand for construction jobs to build new dams and power plants. According to MeroJob, there are many civil engineering and project management roles related to hydropower construction available in countries like Nepal and throughout South Asia.
Hydropower Equipment Manufacturing Jobs
A significant number of jobs in the hydropower industry are related to manufacturing the equipment used in hydropower plants. This includes manufacturing turbines, generators, transformers, switchgear, gates, valves, and other components.
Major manufacturers of hydropower equipment employ thousands of workers around the world. For example, companies like GE, Voith, Andritz, Dongfang Electric, Alstom, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Siemens have large manufacturing facilities and workforces dedicated to hydropower. A single large hydro turbine manufacturing facility can employ hundreds or even thousands of machinists, welders, engineers, electricians, and other workers.
China is a major producer of hydropower equipment and is home to some of the largest hydro manufacturers. Chinese companies like Dongfang Electric, Harbin Electric, and Shanghai Electric have tens of thousands of employees working in their hydropower divisions. The hydro equipment manufacturing sector in China has grown along with the massive expansion of hydropower capacity in the country.
Other major hydro equipment manufacturing hubs are found in Europe, India, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. Major installations like the Three Gorges Dam in China can spur localized economic growth and temporary manufacturing jobs to supply the equipment needs of a single large project.
Overall, hydropower equipment manufacturing represents a significant source of skilled industrial jobs around the world, employing hundreds of thousands of workers involved in building and supplying the turbines, generators, controls, and other components that make up hydroelectric power plants.
Other Hydropower-Related Jobs
In addition to jobs directly involved in hydropower generation, construction, and manufacturing, there are many other jobs that support the hydropower industry:
Engineering Jobs: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineers are needed to design, build, and maintain hydropower facilities. Engineers ensure dams meet safety regulations, turbine-generators operate efficiently, and environmental impacts are minimized.
Environmental Jobs: Aquatic ecologists, biologists, hydrologists, and other scientists help assess the environmental impacts of proposed hydropower projects and develop mitigation strategies. They monitor fish populations, water quality, and flows downstream of dams.
Regulatory Jobs: Government agencies employ civil servants and regulators to oversee the permitting, licensing, compliance, and safety of hydropower projects. They help balance energy needs with environmental protections.
Research Jobs: Universities, government agencies, and companies hire researchers to study hydropower technology, such as developing more efficient turbines, as well as environmental impacts. Their findings help inform regulations and best practices.
While smaller in number than generation and construction jobs, these supporting roles are essential for responsible hydropower development. They ensure projects provide clean energy while protecting river ecosystems.
Sources:
https://www.foundit.in/search/hydropower-industry-jobs-in-india
Conclusion
In summary, there are an estimated 1-2 million people employed globally in the hydropower sector. The largest hydropower employers are in Asia, where countries like China and India have rapidly growing hydropower industries. China alone accounts for close to half of the world’s hydropower workforce. In the US, about 20,000-30,000 people work in hydropower across generation, construction, manufacturing and other roles.
It’s important to track employment trends in the hydropower industry to gauge its health and growth over time. Understanding where jobs are concentrated can also help inform workforce development and training initiatives to support the continued advancement of hydropower globally. As nations pursue low-carbon energy transitions, the hydropower workforce will play a vital role in building climate-resilient infrastructure and providing clean renewable electricity around the world.
