An increase in EU-wide renewable gas production could create 1.7 to 2.4 million jobs by 2050, including 600,000 at 850,000 direct jobs, according to a study published by Gas for Climate, a group of seven major European gas transmission companies and two renewable gas industry associations.
These forecasts are based on the “optimised gas” scenario from a previous Gas for Climate study published in March, which forecasts that the supply of renewable and low-carbon gases will reach 2,880 TWh in 2050.
According to the consulting company Navigant, which prepared the study published on Tuesday 19 November, such an increase in renewable gas production in the EU would lead to the creation of 150,000 to 225,000 direct jobs in renewable electricity production for hydrogen production and 50,000 to 75,000 other direct jobs in the energy sector.
Between 100,000 and 150,000 direct jobs would also be created in agriculture and forestry (among others) to provide the raw material for biomethane production.
Finally, the development and operation of digesters, thermal gasification plants and electrolysers could generate from 200,000 to 300,000 new industrial jobs.
The deployment of renewable gases would also indirectly create jobs in the construction, technical and non-technical services, operations and maintenance sectors.
The study also estimates that these employment opportunities include many rural jobs and highly skilled positions.
According to Navigant, most of these jobs will be stable European jobs that cannot be outsourced.
To consult the study: https://bit.ly/2CZqD1S (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)