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Renewables

Renewables are initiatives which harness natural sources of energy, sometimes referred to as “new energies” or “transition energies”, such as sunlight, water, and wind, to generate energy with lower carbon footprints and minimal waste. The development of renewable resources and technology sits at the heart of efforts to counter climate change to keep global temperature increases below 2°C. 

The renewables sector continues to expand rapidly worldwide. Recent projections estimate renewables’ share in the global power generation mix is expected to rise from 28% in 2020 to as much as 89% by 2050. Electricity from renewables is projected to increase by approximately 240% between 2022 and 2050, accounting for over half of global electricity output. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports, “Over the next five years, several renewable energy milestones are expected to be reached. In 2025, renewables-based electricity generation is set to overtake coal-fired generation. In 2026, wind and solar power generation are each poised to surpass power generation from nuclear. Then, in 2029, electricity generation from solar PV is set to surpass hydropower, becoming the largest renewable power source globally – with wind-based generation expected to surpass hydropower in 2030.”  

The UK remains at the forefront of this global trend, currently maintaining the fifth-largest installed wind power capacity worldwide as of July 2025. The UK labour market in renewables remains buoyant, with expanding employment opportunities as many organisations accelerate recruitment to meet and surpass the targets set by the Paris 2015 Agreement on climate change. 

For sector statistics, please visit data and statistics and analysis reports at the International Energy Agency (IEA) contains some data on renewables, and also see IRENA’s energy statistics 2025. 

Renewable energy roles could span across technical, strategic, environmental, or policy-driven roles, depending on your background and goals. Core areas of work within the renewables sector include:  

  • Renewable energy generation: designing, developing, and operating renewable energy facilities, including solar farms, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants. Project Managers coordinate the development of solar farms, wind turbines, or hydroelectric systems, often working alongside Civil Engineers, Design Engineers and Electrical Engineers to bring projects to life.
  • Energy storage: researching and implementing technologies for storing renewable energy, such as batteries and pumped hydro. Battery Storage Specialist or Smart Grid Engineer can be especially relevant as the industry advances in energy storage and distribution.
  • Energy efficiency: developing strategies and implementing technologies to reduce energy consumption in buildings, transportation, and industry. Roles such as Sustainability Consultant, Energy Analyst, Energy Manager and Environmental Engineer are closely aligned, focusing on optimising energy use and minimising environmental impact. Cleantech Startup Roles, Product Managers, or Sustainability Strategists within energy companies offer dynamic pathways.
  • Policy and Regulatory Affairs professionals shape and navigate legislation that supports renewable initiatives including analysing energy policies, developing regulations, and conducting economic assessments. 
  • Research and development: conducting research into new renewable energy technologies and improving existing ones. Research scientists can be found working closely with such professionals in designing and conducting experiments to identify new materials and technologies to be used in renewables. 

You can stay in touch with developments across the sector with renews.biz 

News, policy development and public affairs within the Renewable Energy Sector Renewable UK.com  

Information from Prospects about the Energy sector.

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring the role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 
 
Renewable energy employers typically look for a blend of technical expertise, analytical skills, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Key skills include: 

  • Adaptability and Innovation: openness to learning and staying updated with rapidly evolving technologies and industry trends.
  • Communication and Collaboration: strong written and verbal communication for reporting, stakeholder engagement, and teamwork across disciplines.
  • Data Analysis and Problem-Solving: ability to analyse energy performance data, model systems, and optimise efficiency using tools like Excel, Python, or R.
  • Engineering and Scientific Skills: for technical roles, employers value backgrounds in electrical, mechanical, civil, or environmental engineering, as well as physics or environmental science.
  • Project Management: skills in planning, budgeting, scheduling, and cross-functional coordination, often supported by tools like MS Project or Primavera.
  • Regulatory and Policy Knowledge: understanding of local and international energy regulations, sustainability reporting, and compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO, LEED).
  • Technical Proficiency: knowledge in areas such as solar, wind, hydro, or battery technology; experience with tools like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or GIS software; and familiarity with renewable energy systems and grid integration.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in volunteering, employability schemes, speculative applications and part-time work. 

Volunteering 

  • Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) – UK-based charity that supports people and organisations to tackle the climate emergency; volunteering opportunities in Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire.
  • Community Energy England - not-for-profit organisation that supports and advocates for community-led renewable energy projects across England by promoting policy change, sharing resources, and connecting practitioners.
  • Engineers without Borders - UK charity founded by students at University of Cambridge working on sustainable solutions in engineering.
  • Local general volunteering: Volunteer Cornwall, Devon Cornwall, Devon Connect.
  • Low Carbon UK- a renewable energy investment company that develops, owns, and operates large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects to accelerate the global transition to net zero. Volunteering opportunities in Bristol, Brighton and Oxford where volunteers can assist in eco-construction activities.
  • Repowering London -  a community energy coop based in London, offering roles like solar-site scouting, event promotion, coop governance, communications, lobbying, and workshop delivery. Great for gaining insight into community-led renewables and cooperative governance:
  • You could also get involved in the Students' Union (Cornwall) or Exeter Students' Guild (Exeter) and find student-led societies focussed on renewables or affiliated interests, such as the Engineering Society. Please note that societies are subject to change every academic year. 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Ask an Alum: networking email exchange scheme.
  • Career Mentor Scheme: mentoring scheme where students and graduates are matched with an experienced mentor.
  • Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
  • Grand Challenges: A project week where students work in interdisciplinary groups to design solutions to real-world challenges. Develop communication and campaign skills to present ideas creatively.
  • Green Consultants: provides you with additional skills and experience required to work in the highly competitive environmental and sustainability sector.
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.
  • Career Development for Sustainability – guide to sourcing experience to develop competencies in sustainability.  

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. Here is a guide to writing speculative applications.  

 The websites below hold directories which can be a helpful place to start, when researching potential organisations and people of interest, in addition to Linked IN.    

Finding part-time work  

There are number of options to consider in finding renewables part-time work.  Start by checking Handshake for University of Exeter opportunities such as SCP or GBP roles which could entail supporting academics with their research; for more information click here. Look locally for renewable energy installers or maintenance companies that may need part-time support.  Environmental consultancies sometimes seek students for project support, particularly during busy periods.  

The following resources can assist in sourcing part-time work. 

  • General job sites such as BrightNetwork,  Indeed and LinkedIn will advertise part-time work. Be sure to use key words such as terms outlined in the “Skills that employers look for” sections of this resource.
  • Handshake is our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students. You may want to search for SCP (Student Campus Partnership) or SBP (Student Business Partnership) roles – to find out more, please click on the links.
  • Employers looking for part-time and casual staff attend events such as careers fairs on campus.
  • Attend the ‘Finding a Part-Time Job’ advice session which explores the benefits of gaining part-time work, where you can find these opportunities and top tips for your applications. This session will be listed on Handshake events.
  • Listen to this episode of the Career Zone podcast for more advice about finding a part-time job.
  • Consult sector specific jobs platforms for part-time paid opportunities:
  • Ecocareers UK – Discover Green Jobs and Environmental Careers in the UK
  • Energy Job Line – job board for work in energy.
  • Energy Jobs.com – job board for work in energy. 
  • ENDS Jobs – job searching arms of Environmental Data Service.
  • Gradcracker – job board for graduate opportunities.
  • Green Jobs – job board for professionals seeking environmental and renewable energy jobs. 
  • Renewable Energy Jobs – specialist sector recruitment agent.
  • RenewableUK – job searching arm of RenewableUK, industry representative body.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.  
 
Here are just some examples of companies that offer placements and internships in the sector: 

It is advisable to spend some time reading sector news to find out about funding or developmental work happening in the fields or organisations you are interested in.  This may result in opportunities for work in the area.  For example, in June 202 the Crown Estates approved various offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea. For more information click here. 

Graduate schemes and internships 

  • Collection for internships on Handshake
  • Bright Network internships application deadlines 
     

Virtual Internship Platforms 

General Graduate Scheme and Internship platforms 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. 

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications.  

If you're considering advancing your career in the renewable energy sector, there are a variety of relevant postgraduate programmes to explore, such as MSc Renewable Energy Engineering, MSc Sustainable Energy Technologies, MSc Wind Energy Systems, MSc Applied Data Science (renewable energy), MSc Energy Policy and Sustainability, and the MBA in Energy Management. Alongside academic qualifications, professional recognition can be gained through bodies such as the Energy Institute, which offers Chartered Energy Manager status, the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and IMechE for professional and chartered engineer registration, and project management certifications such as APM or PRINCE2. Consider continuous professional development opportunities with industry bodies such as technical webinars from RenewableUK and Solar Energy UK, training courses from the Energy Institute. 

Use the sites below to research your further study options. 

Advice 

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary, however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

  • Energy Institute (EI) – offers professional recognition and resources for energy professionals, including Chartered Energy Manager status.
  • Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) – Supports environmental professionals with training, standards, and Chartered Environmentalist status.
  • Institute of Physics (IOP) – professional development and recognition for physicists working in energy and sustainability.
  • Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – professional registration and development for engineers across sectors, including renewables.
  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) – supports mechanical engineers working in energy and sustainability, offering Chartered Engineer status.
  • Other sector specific and niche bodies include: Solar Energy UK, The British Hydropower Association, Marine Energy Council and the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA).
  • OEUK (Offshore Energies UK) - trade body for the UK offshore energy industry.