Renewable Energy Definition

 Renewable energy can be defined as energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than it is consumed, I.e., an energy source that cannot be depleted by its use.  Several energy sources meet these criteria, and they are explained in the video below.

Why is Renewable Energy important for the UK?

 Climate change driven by the production of greenhouse gases is having a disastrous effect on our planet.  Environmental crises are being experienced across the globe, and they have become commonplace in today’s news.  To combat the impact of climate change, world leaders have made pledges to reduce the number of greenhouse gases that are currently emitted into the atmosphere.  In 2021 the COP 26 International Climate Change Conference took place in Glasgow.  World Leaders made commitments to attempt to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 C and reach net zero by 2050.  The UK government knows that maximising the country’s full renewable energy potential is an essential tool in reaching the 2050 net zero goal.  As you can see from the illustration below, the UK’s climate, topography and vast stretches of coastline provide the ideal conditions for producing energy via renewable sources such as wind and hydropower.

At the time of writing in 2022, the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian State is having a profound effect on global energy markets, driving up the cost of resources such as Oil and Gas. Energy security is now at the top of the priority list for global leaders as they look to reduce their dependence on other nations for their energy resources.  Energy independence will be an essential capability and the UK government understands that renewable energy is the key to reaching this goal.

Why is the Renewable Energy Sector important for the Armed Forces Community?

 For the reasons detailed above, the UK government is committed to growing existing renewable energy technology. It has outlined plans to support future projects that will enhance the nation’s energy independence and take us closer to reaching net zero.  A skills gap already exists across the renewable energy industry, which is likely to grow as new projects are commissioned.  Approximately 14,500 service leavers leave the UK military each year.  This means there is a pool of highly trained, and highly motivated individuals with many relevant skills who can exploit this growing gap in the industry.  Furthermore, the renewable energy sector has several opportunities that should make it an attractive option for service leavers of all skills and backgrounds. A non-exhaustive list of these can be found below:

 Key employment benefits?

•  Skills Transfer – This is a skills-based industry.  Companies spend significant proportions of their budgets to train their workforce and develop skills and further technical qualifications.  Service leavers tend to have soft skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work in teams. Therefore, with specific trade training, service leavers can offer renewable companies a well-rounded package that few other candidates will be able to match.

  Top tip – Make your skills obvious by putting them at the top of your CV. Hiring managers do not have the time to read through your experiences and try and pick out the relevant skills and experiences, so do the work for them.

• Salary – Annual wage across the industry tends to be above the UK national average, however, this is to be expected due to the industry’s highly skilled workforce.  An example of this could be an Offshore Wind Electrical technician who could reasonably expect to start on a salary between £30,000 - £60,000 depending on technical experience.

• Global Industry – Skills and experiences gained will be valued throughout the world. Opportunities for working abroad exist, as several of the larger renewable companies have projects in Europe, Asia, and America.

• Role Variety – There is a large variety of jobs available across the renewable energy industries. Crucially, there is a comparable role in renewable energy industries for most positions in the military. There are examples below of positions that are currently in demand across the industries:

• HSE

• Electrical Technicians

• Mechanical Technicians

• Stakeholder Management

• Environmental Consent

• Logistics

• Stores

• Project Management

• Operations Management

Top Tip – When looking at a specific industry, don’t focus just on immediately visible technology - e.g., a wind farm.  Remember that there are lots of companies from several industries that have worked together to reach that end goal.  The job you are looking for could be with the supplier, not the company that is operating the technology.

Renewable Energy Sector Guide

Does it sound like there could be a job for you in the Renewable Energy Sector? Mission Renewable has worked alongside industry and the CTP to put together a ‘one-stop-shop’ for service leavers, veterans and spouses/partners who might be looking to better understand the sector. Click the image to take a look!