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Abstract

Geothermal energy develops a perspective on the creation of several new jobs. Because of the many different disciplines that are required in the industry, there are jobs provided for a wide range of different types of specialities, with different level of skills, experience and education, concerning low skilled, medium skilled (technical, skilled crafts, supervisory) and highly skilled (professional and managerial) occupations. Objective of this study is to record the status of the employment of the geothermal electricity sector: estimate the jobs created in the sector and identify the skill gaps and workforce shortages that exist or that may occur. In order to estimate the new jobs that will be created in the geothermal electricity sector during the next 20 years, we use the coefficients of 3,9 person*years/ MW for manufacturing jobs, 6,8 person*years/ MW for construction jobs and 0,36 jobs/ MW for O&M. A realistic estimation of a 6% annual growth rate of the installed capacity will lead to the creation of 28.657 person*years during the next 20 years. The estimated 28.657 person*years created correspond to 1.859 full time jobs, with 748 being in O&M, 706 in construction and 405 in manufacturing. Due to the nature of the created jobs, construction and O&M jobs created by the European geothermal power industry can be characterized as “European ” jobs, as they are covered mainly by the local workforce, while regarding manufacturing of the equipment, the “nationality” of the jobs depends on the origin of the equipment. It is estimated that 85,87% of the total person*years created will involve European workforce. Apart from the direct jobs, there are also indirect and induced jobs that are created. In order to estimate the total direct, indirect and induced jobs created on a national level, a multiplier of 2 can be used, while a multiplier of 2,5 can be used for the same estimate on a European level. This means that if we have 28.657 person*years created for direct employment during the next 20 years, then on a national level the total direct, indirect and induced person*years will be 57.314 and on a European level we will have 71.643 person*years. A survey was conducted from December 2011 until August 2013 across Europe involving companies and organizations of the geothermal electricity sector, in order to collect data regarding present and future employment needs, job qualifications and re-specialization needs in the geothermal electricity sector.