Driven by the need to decarbonize and increase efficiencies, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act and other policies, the renewable energy industry has grown exponentially in the last few years. This is a success story that is worth applauding. The trick, now that we have gained so much speed in such a short period of time, is to sustain the momentum.
However, my sense of urgency and passion to find talented, capable people who can implement practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions stems not only from the impact of the climate crisis but also from the projections of renewable energy’s rapid ascent.that renewables will more than triple by 2032, at which point they will be responsible for 45% of the total energy generation mix in the United States.
As business leaders, one step we can take to further support these actions is to hire locally whenever possible. Whether a project is being developed in Hawaii or Halifax, hiring local subcontractors and training new hires can help create job opportunities for the local workforce and businesses. My company, Ameresco, for example, has taken this approach by locally assembling components for a street light improvement project with the city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Energy Authority. By tapping into the city’s workforce and resources, we can better foster a community-centric approach.