Work is needed to increase diversity in the renewables industry

Greater collaboration between schools, universities, businesses and government is key to achieving equality, diversity and inclusion in the renewable energy industry, according to a new report led by researchers at the University of Plymouth. 

Funded by the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, the new report outlines an action plan which focusses on short, medium and longer-term initiatives to help improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the sector.

The report highlights that 51% of primary school children are female, however, a significant number of these pupils are lost at each stage of education meaning that only around 5% of senior engineering roles are held by women.

Also, only 7.8% of professional engineers are from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

The authors of the report explain that in order to change this, a ‘one size fits all’ approach will no longer work and instead groups and organisations need to cooperate to work towards overall common objectives.

Professor James Gilbert, co-director of the Supergen ORE Hub said: ‘Increasing equality, diversity and inclusion can bring significant benefits to those organisations who embrace it but there are challenges in understanding how to bring about sustainable change.

‘Long term change needs organisations, from schools and colleges to universities and industry to work together for a common purpose. This report identifies short, medium and long term actions to help bring about positive change through working together.’

In related news, the total pipeline of global offshore wind projects has grown by 47% since January, according to a new report published by RenewableUK.

The report has revealed that despite the pandemic, the total capacity of offshore wind projects which are operational, under construction, consented, in planning or in development currently stands at 197.4 gigawatts, up from 134.7GW in mid-January.

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