A new study by Pye Tait on behalf of The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) and funded by NET has revealed that the UK’s ambitious solar energy plans could lead to a skilled labour shortage.
The research estimates that between 6,110 and 6,890 full-time equivalent (FTE) qualified electricians will be required to support increased solar installations by 2035, representing a significant increase compared to the current FTE requirement for solar PV.
The findings come as the UK Government aims to reach 70GW of solar capacity by 2035, up from the current 15GW. This would require a massive expansion in solar installations, which would in turn put a strain on the electrotechnical workforce.
The research highlights that while the UK has a strong foundation of electricians and electrical fitters, with around 210,000 currently in the country, this is not enough to meet the increased demand for solar installations. The report suggests that 4,800 to 5,600 more electricians will be needed to meet the demand for solar installations by 2035.
The research also found that ongoing improvements to solar PV technology could result in a reduction in the number of electricians required. However, this is likely to be offset by the growth of other low-carbon technologies, such as smart homes, electrification of heat, electric vehicle charging points, and battery storage systems.
TESP Chair Ruth Devine noted, “The UK needs a constant and increasing supply of qualified and qualifying electricians to meet the growing demand for low-carbon technology installation. We urge employers to take advantage of these opportunities and ensure they recruit and train to avoid future skills gaps.
“We also urge the government to provide further support to the industry, such as funding for apprenticeships and upskilling programmes. This will help ensure that the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to meet its ambitious climate change targets.”
The study is the latest in a series of reports that have highlighted the need for more skilled electricians in the UK. Last year, a study by the National Engineering Qualifications Framework found that there was a shortage of 20,000 electricians in the UK.
The Government has committed to addressing the skills gap in the electrotechnical industry, and has announced plans to increase the number of apprenticeships and upskilling programmes. However, it is unclear whether these measures will be enough to meet the growing demand for skilled electricians.
