The recently released 2022 Connecticut Clean Energy Report showed that the industry in Connecticut grew at its highest rate in five years during 2021.
Clean energy’s contributions to the state’s gross regional product increased by 21% since 2017 to $7.07 billion, according to the report.
“While the impact of the pandemic continues, strong partnerships between policy makers and industry stakeholders remain the building blocks of this key segment of our economy,” said Neil Beup, Energy Efficiency Board chair.
Other key findings from the report include:
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An increase in solar jobs of 8.4% in 2021.
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The number of firms conducting energy efficiency, clean energy generation, clean fuels, and clean grid and storage work increased between 2020 and 2021.
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Connecticut’s clean energy workforce was slightly more diverse in 2021.
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Fewer employers reported experiencing hiring difficulty in 2021 than in 2020, though hiring remains nearly 14% more difficult than pre-pandemic.
“What’s exciting about the Clean Energy Industry Report is the continued growth and diversity in the sector and the many career paths available, in a time of energy transformation,” said Brenda Watson, chair of the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board and the Connecticut Green Bank and executive director of Operation Fuel.
Project Manager Sarah Lehman of BW Research said the state’s clean energy industry had begun its recovery from 2020’s economic decline.
“Connecticut can likely expect to see continued clean energy job growth in 2023,” Lehman said.
