Clean Energy Industry Report Highlights Significant Economic Contributions and Continued Employment Growth for Connecticut

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Alternative transportation sector shows strongest growth while workforce development challenges remain, according to state’s fourth Clean Energy Industry Report from the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board and the Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors

 

Hartford, CT (June 6, 2024) – Connecticut’s clean energy industry in 2022 contributed $7.68 billion to the state’s Gross Regional Product (GRP), an 8.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to the recently released 2023 Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Report. The sector gained 2.9 percent more jobs and has surpassed 44,000 workers – more than pre-pandemic totals – accounting for nearly 5 percent of total statewide employment growth. This growth was stronger than Connecticut’s economywide average of 1.7 percent and on par with growth seen in Maine, New York, and Rhode Island.

This is the fourth industry study produced by the Connecticut Green Bank, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Eversource, and United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, subsidiaries of Avangrid Inc., operating through the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board (EEB).

“The Energy Efficiency Board believes that the continued economic growth from the state’s clean energy sector speaks volumes about Connecticut’s residents and businesses’ commitment towards achieving climate policy goals,” said Anthony Kosior, EEB Chair. “Their desire to invest in a more sustainable future is evident through the high demand for the Conservation and Load Management Programs, which has invested in education and development of Connecticut’s energy efficiency workforce. The EEB looks forward to the C&LM programs serving as an asset to further train and encourage diversification of this workforce to include more women and minorities.”

“We’re pleased to see Connecticut’s clean energy economy growing, particularly in energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and clean grid and storage employment,” said Eversource Director of Energy Efficiency Implementation and Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board member Ron Araujo. “Through technical assistance and incentives provided through participation in our programs, Eversource has worked with the state of Connecticut, business partners and our customers to help reduce its carbon footprint while strengthening the economy. As more of our customers become aware of the environmental and cost-saving benefits of energy efficiency technologies, these energy job markets will continue to flourish.”

“We are deeply encouraged and emboldened by the continued success of the energy efficiency economy right here in Connecticut,” said Hammad Chaudhry, Senior Manager of Conservation and Load Management at Avangrid and member of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board. “As part of a leading sustainable energy company with a global footprint, we are proud of our partnerships with an expanding clean energy workforce that is just as committed to a green and sustainable future as we are. We appreciate the dedication of the Green Bank and all the members of the Energy Efficiency Board as we commit to an equitable, innovative clean energy transition.”

“Connecticut’s clean energy economy continues to grow to address our climate challenges and our need for jobs that pay living wages. We have seen the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy for our families and businesses, especially in our vulnerable communities and understand the important role that this sector plays in our state’s overall economy,” said Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors Chair Lonnie Reed. “We look forward to even stronger strategic alliances as we support the companies and workers in this industry and are eager to partner with legislators who share these important objectives.”

As with previous reports, this analysis from BW Research shows employment divided into five major technology sectors, their component sub-technologies, and industry or value chain segment. The five sectors are: energy efficiency; clean energy generation; alternative transportation; clean grid and storage; and clean fuels. All data presented is based on the 2023 United States Energy and Employment Report (USEER).

Some other key findings include:

  • The alternative transportation sector grew by nearly 17 percent between 2021 and 2022, exceeding the national average for this sector.
  • The number of full-time equivalent clean energy workers grew by 6 percent or 1,700 workers.
  • All clean energy generation (CEG) sub-technologies experienced employment growth in 2022 and outpaced national growth levels.
  • Solar, the largest CEG sub-sector employer, grew by 5.7 percent or 163 jobs. The geothermal sub-sector grew by 82.2 percent or 40 jobs during the same period, representing the largest employment increase in percentage terms across all sub-technologies in 2022.
  • Connecticut continued to employ a lower share of minority, women, veteran, and 55 and over clean energy workers relative to the state’s overall workforce as of 2022. Women, who account for more than half of the state’s overall workforce, comprise only one-quarter of the state’s clean energy workforce.
  • Hiring difficulty remains nearly 13 percent greater than pre-pandemic levels. Technician or mechanical support positions were identified as the most difficult positions to fill.

“As an advocate for community and economic development, this report sheds light on the innovation happening in Connecticut. What this report also highlights is the work the industry needs to do, to promote workforce development opportunities that exist in the sector for black, brown, indigenous and women. I am excited about the possibilities for expanded collaboration and connecting the clean energy industry with workforce advocates”, said Brenda Watson, Executive Director at the North Hartford Partnership and Chair of Connecticut Green Bank and Energy Efficiency Board joint subcommittee.

To access the full report, please visit the Green Bank’s societal impact page or download directly here.

 

 

About Energize ConnecticutSM and the Joint Committee:

Energize CT is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, subsidiaries of Avangrid Inc., and Eversource, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Learn more at www.energizect.com.

Joint Committee

Pursuant to Section 16-245m(d)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Joint Committee shall examine opportunities to coordinate programs and activities contained in the plan developed under Section 16-245n(c) (i.e., Comprehensive Plan of the Green Bank) with the programs and activities contained in the plan developed under Section 16-245m(d)(1) (i.e., Conservation and Load Management Plan), and to provide financing to increase the benefits of programs funded by the plan developed under Section 16-245m(d)(1) so as to reduce the long-term cost, environmental impacts, and security risks of energy in the state.

To support the Joint Committee, the following is a principal statement to guide its activities: The Energy Efficiency Board and the Connecticut Green Bank have a shared goal to implement state energy policy throughout all sectors and populations of Connecticut with continuous innovation towards greater leveraging of ratepayer funds and a uniformly positive customer experience.