Renewable Energy Is Creating Many Jobs in Europe Even as Trump Opposes Wind Power
Published · 3 min read
Renewable energy — like wind and solar power — is not just helping fight climate change. It is also creating millions of jobs in Europe, even as some political leaders abroad speak out against wind energy.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized wind and solar energy, calling them a “green new scam” and opposing some wind projects. Despite this, clean energy industries in Europe are growing fast and providing work for many people.
How Many People Work in Renewable Energy
According to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA):
- In 2024, there were about 2.04 million jobs in renewable energy across Europe.
- Nearly 1.8 million of those jobs were in the European Union (EU) alone.
This means the EU makes up a large share of renewable energy employment in the world — about 10.8% of global renewable energy jobs.
China remains the biggest employer in clean energy globally, with 43.9% of the world’s renewable energy jobs, followed by the rest of Asia.
Jobs by Sector
Renewable energy jobs include many kinds of work — from building and maintaining turbines to installing solar panels:
Wind Power
- About 279,100 people worked in wind energy in the EU in 2024.
- Germany was the largest employer, with around 110,000 wind jobs, followed by Spain and Denmark.
Solar Power
- The solar energy sector employed a record 865,000 people in 2024.
- This figure rose faster than the general job market but slowed compared with previous years.
However, estimates show the solar workforce in 2025 could shrink to about 825,000 jobs as growth slowed and pressures increased in manufacturing and investment.
Why These Jobs Matter
The growth of renewable energy jobs shows that clean power is becoming a major part of the economy in Europe:
- Wind and solar infrastructure requires workers for manufacturing, installation, maintenance and planning.
- These jobs help regions build new industries and support local economies.
- Even when some areas slow production, renewable energy employment still grew faster than the broader European job market.
At the same time, some parts of the sector — like offshore wind — face challenges such as higher costs, canceled projects and supply problems, which can affect future employment growth.
Renewables vs. Political Opposition
While Trump and some U.S. leaders have criticized wind energy and slowed approvals for new projects, Europe’s renewable workforce continues to expand.
In 2025, wind and solar produced more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time in the EU, showing the strong growth of clean power even as global politics vary.
This contrast highlights how energy policies in different countries can shape job markets and industry growth in very different ways.
Bottom Line
Renewable energy is more than just a climate solution — it’s a major source of jobs in Europe. In 2024, nearly 2 million people worked in the renewable energy sector in Europe, with strong contributions from wind and solar industries. This growth is happening even as political figures like Donald Trump criticize wind energy in the U.S., showing that clean energy can support both economic and environmental goals.
