Seven million clean energy skilled workers missing by 2030. Will your projects survive the shortage?
The clean energy race is on. Are you ahead of it, or already falling behind?
Every day your competitors are snapping up the engineers, technicians and project managers you need to hit deadlines. By 2030, the world will be short by seven million skilled workers in renewables, nuclear, hydrogen and power. That’s not a prediction, it’s already showing up in stalled projects, spiralling labour costs and missed revenue targets.
The reality you’re up against:
- Pay is up, skills are not – 48% of renewables professionals got a raise in 2025, but shortages haven’t eased
- Wind’s looming gap – 212,000 new technicians needed by 2028; 40% must come from outside the industry
- Solar falling short – Needs 48% more workers by 2033, but growth is tracking at just 22%
- Untapped talent – 90% of oil & gas workers have transferable skills for nuclear, yet most go unused without targeted training
- Demand outpacing supply – Global renewable jobs jumped from 13.7M in 2022 to 16.2M in 2023, but the UK still faces a 200,000-worker shortfall by 2030
- Green skills gap widening – Job postings needing green skills grew 9% annually (2018–2023) while the talent pool grew just 5% a year
This is the moment to decide: keep battling for the same candidates in an arms race you can’t win, or rethink how you build, move and retain talent.
At Hydrogen Group, we deliver outcome-based project teams that hit your milestones without adding headcount. We do it faster, at lower cost, and with more transparency than you thought was possible.
Breaking down the talent gap: 4 core drivers
- Growth outruns training – Projects launch today, but apprenticeships and certifications take years
- Readiness over potential – Many employers want “industry-ready” hires, overlooking transferable skills (90% of oil & gas talent could shift to nuclear)
- Ageing workforce and remote sites – Retirements and hard-to-reach project locations limit candidate pools
- Training bottlenecks – Long qualification times slow supply; modernised, fast-track programmes are critical
Where the talent crunch bites hardest
Demand is greatest in the technologies leading the transition. Here’s where the biggest gaps lie:
- Offshore wind: The Global Wind Workforce Outlook predicts a 6-8% global shortfall of wind technicians by 2028, meaning 212,000 new recruits must be hired and more than 532,000 technicians will be needed overall
- Solar: The U.S. solar industry employed 279,447 workers in 2023, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects only 22% growth by 2033, far below the 48% growth needed. Developers estimate the industry could use a 30% increase in headcount just to clear backlogs
- Hydrogen: Green‑hydrogen projects require engineers, welders and project managers. Initiatives like Houston’s hydrogen workforce programme shows how regional partnerships can build tailored training and match skills to demand
- Nuclear: Mega‑projects such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Rolls‑Royce’s SMR in the UK will intensify demand for cleared welders and engineers. The UK’s South West nuclear workforce has tripled from 8,500 in 2014 to over 27,000 in 2025, and over 90% of oil‑and‑gas workers have medium‑to‑high transferability into nuclear roles
Why Statement of Work (SOW) works when time and talent are against you
At Hydrogen Group, we don’t just supply people, we deliver outcomes.
Our Statement of Work (SOW) is an outcome-based delivery model for specialist projects. Instead of hiring individuals, you engage a team to deliver a defined scope, and we own every milestone, quality check, and outcome. You get top-tier talent, without adding permanent headcount. Hit every milestone, on time and on budget.
- Move from scope to squad in 4–5 weeks
- Saves you 40–45% compared to traditional consultancies
- Gives you total visibility, control, and accountability
SOW benefits in the renewables boom
Our five-stage playbook, built for zero drama delivery
- Scope and define – milestones, timelines, deliverables, reporting, success metrics
- Mobilise – deploy proven, vetted, and project-ready specialists, with temp-to-perm options
- Delivery oversight – welfare, performance, quality, issue management
- Reporting and admin – budget control, realtime timesheets, knowledge share
- Close and learn – seamless off boarding, IP handover, “wash-up” review
This is about people, process and technology working together so you can focus on outcomes.
Why Hydrogen Group? Here’s what makes us different
At Hydrogen Group, we’re more than recruiters. We’re a globally interconnected partner that combines local talent expertise with world-class workforce solutions and the beautiful basics of recruitment.
Our differentiators include:
- Centre of Excellence: Strategic firepower from market intelligence, technology, implementation, talent marketing, compliance, and more. Giving you structure, rigour, and insight at every stage of the SOW lifecycle
- Global collaboration: Connecting people, insights, and delivery across 67 countries for true cross-border agility
- Diversity led: Led by a female CEO, we champion diversity in all workforce solutions
- Integrated end-to-end delivery: From one-off hires to complex SOW programmes, we’re with you every step
- Proven and trusted delivery partner: 27 years of global delivery, 500+ active clients, and measurable success stories
Our cultural DNA – Client Centricity, Push Thinking, All In, Own It, Open Up, Listen First, informs every interaction we have.
Act now. Deliver more. Win the race to Net Zero.
The skills you need are in short supply and getting scarcer every quarter. Those who lock in talent and capability now will be the ones still delivering on time and on budget in five years’ time.
Make the move now
- Book a 20 minute planning call now
- Or click below with “SOW READY” in the subject to fast track scoping
Let’s build the team that will power a cleaner, more resilient world, starting with your next project.
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We're committed to enabling our clients and candidates to thrive in a constantly changing world. By helping businesses grow and supporting people in leading more fulfilling lives both at work and beyond, we aim to make a lasting impact. Our ultimate goal is to become the world’s most valued and trusted workforce solutions company, trusted by our people, our clients and our communities.
