The UK’s ambitious commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is a cornerstone of its energy transition strategy. Legally binding through the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019, this goal requires a fundamental shift from fossil-fuel-based energy production to renewable sources like wind and solar. The government has pledged that by 2035, all electricity in the UK will come from low-carbon sources, with plans to rapidly scale up renewable energy infrastructure. While the country has made considerable progress, reports from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) indicate that more action is needed to meet these milestones.
The energy transition
At the heart of the energy transition is the need to shift from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable sources of energy. In line with this, the UK government aims to expand offshore wind capacity significantly by 2030 and solar power capacity by 2035. Additionally, nuclear energy will play an expanded role in the country’s energy mix. However, while these targets are ambitious, the CCC reports that the roll-out of key low-carbon technologies needs to be accelerated if the UK is to stay on track. We have explored some of these emerging technologies and the progress being made in these areas.
Solar Power
The government aims to achieve 70GW of solar power by 2025. A House of Commons report highlighted that this target will be challenging due to one critical barrier—the lack of grid capacity expansion and grid connections. RHL Recruitment has identified a high need for Electrical Engineers, EC&I Engineers, Electrical Project Managers, and Electrical Technicians. The demand for these skill sets will continue to grow in this discipline.
Carbon Capture Storage
One significant technology that will aid this transition is carbon capture and storage (CCS). By 2030, the government aims to capture and store 20-30 million tonnes of carbon per year, with plans to exceed 50 million tonnes annually by 2035. This is a critical step in reducing emissions from industries that are difficult to decarbonise.
Traditional Oil and Gas operators such as Shell, ENI and Spirit Energy are involved with projects in The North Sea, the Irish Sea and in Wales. There are over 90 Carbon Capture Storage projects planned in the UK that will eventually capture around 94 million tonnes of CO2 per year. These projects will protect thousands of jobs in energy-heavy industries such as Steel and Manufacturing and will create many more.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Projects will also grow in numbers over the next few years. Hydrogen is a low-carbon fuel for transport, heating, power generation, or energy storage. This industry is in its beginning stages and will need to be scaled rapidly. The UK has issued grants to 15 low-carbon hydrogen projects. Some of RHL Recruitment’s existing clients have secured funding.
Just last week, 4th October – Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged his government’s support for carbon capture and storage (CCUS) clusters in Teesside and Merseyside, as part of a CCUS and hydrogen industry support package totalling up to £21.7bn. It has been estimated that these two projects will collectively capture 8.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually once fully operational.
The Prime Minister visited these sites to discuss the job creation opportunities associated with the projects and the respective developers’ ambitions to attract £8bn of private investment.
GB Energy
A government-owned organisation has been created to drive investment in green energy and will be headquartered in Aberdeen. This is strategically located and will attract talent from Energy sector professionals based in the region, many of whom are in the declining Oil and Gas sector.
Recruitment and talent
As the UK accelerates its energy transition, the demand for skilled professionals across the green energy sector will rise rapidly. The move to renewable energy will create diverse opportunities in roles that span across engineering, project management, project controls and technology development. Offshore wind farms, solar power, nuclear facilities, carbon capture and hydrogen projects will require highly skilled, experienced and well-qualified workers who can fit well in a project environment and team. However, attracting and retaining talent in these areas will challenge many end clients and recruitment organisations.
Finding the right talent to deliver on these projects will require a shift in recruitment strategies. At RHL Recruitment, we must tap into the existing oil and gas workforce while attracting new talent from outside the sector. Workers with transferable technical skills, such as those in traditional oil and gas industries, are well-positioned to transition into roles in areas such as Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Storage. Upskilling programs and reskilling initiatives will be key to making this transition seamless for professionals seeking new opportunities.
Conclusion
The UK’s journey toward net-zero emissions by 2050 represents a huge shift in the country’s energy landscape. While the government’s plans are ambitious, the success of these projects depends on the availability of skilled professionals who can deliver cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. At RHL Recruitment, our long history of recruitment in the energy sector positions us as the go-to recruitment business for clients looking to staff their clean energy projects in the following areas –
- Battery Storage
- Hydrogen
- Solar
- Carbon Capture
The UK’s future is green – and the time to be part of that change is now.
Alan Steer
Head of Energy
alan@rhl.co.uk
