How to Build a Career in Renewables?

Ronan O'Meara
Oct 9
3 min read

Building a Career in Renewables

The renewable energy industry is expanding quickly, and with initiatives like Work in Renewables, more people are asking how to get involved. Alice in GreenTech Skillnet contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I would share my career journey. So here goes!

My story comes down to three key lessons.

1. It’s Never Too Late to Change

I didn’t start in renewables until I was 30. Lots of others in the industry I know started in renewables in their 40s and 50s. My first engineering job was in civil/structural engineering (and prior to that I did a bit of butchering in Tesco, worked as a receptionist and tried my hand at teaching).

It was only later that I made the move into renewable energy. At the time, I worried I’d left it too late—but I think those years of building problem-solving and technical skills gave me a strong foundation. When I did move into renewables, I was able to pick up the specifics on the job. If you’re thinking about a career change, go for it! This industry values transferable skills as much as sector-specific experience. Once I decided I was going to work in renewables, I did an online course in Loughborough University – it’s amazing how many people I met have done the same course. Which brings me on to my second point:

2. The Industry is Really Friendly

Something that surprised me early on was just how approachable people were. Renewable energy is still a relatively small, tight-knit industry. If you email or phone someone, there’s a good chance they’ll give you their time. That openness hasn’t gone away—people are co-operative, they share knowledge, and they want to see the sector succeed. Collaboration is baked into the culture, and that makes it a rewarding environment to work in.

3. You Don’t Need to Be a Turbine Climber

I’m not great with heights. Thankfully, you don’t need to be climbing turbines to have a career in renewables. There are so many paths: asset management, project development, data analysis, financial modelling, policy, planning, and consultancy. The industry needs people with different skills and perspectives, not just those comfortable with harnesses and helmets.

Bonus Tips for Anyone Starting Out

Be useful, Show problem-solving skills: Look for problems to solve, how can you fix your boss’s/customer’s problems. Get a reputation for this and opportunities will come your way. I was chatting with an industry colleague a few years about the best employee he had and he said “He’s amazing, he takes any awkward, messy, pile-of-rubbish problem and gives it back in a neatly packaged solution.” This kind of attitude will make you invaluable.
Build a strong technical base: engineering, data analysis, or environmental science are all great springboards.
Get real-world experience early: internships and junior roles in project operations or consultancy teach you more than textbooks ever could.
Think broadly about your career: the sector needs analysts, planners, project managers, financiers, and communicators as much as engineers.
Keep learning: the industry moves fast—storage, AI tools, and integration projects are changing the game. Stay curious.

Closing Thoughts

When I started out in work, I never imagined I’d be looking after a fleet of renewable energy projects. Looking back, those three lessons—never too late to change, work with people, and find your niche—shaped my career more than any single project.

If you’re curious about how your own skills might fit in, I’d encourage you to take the next step. Get in touch with us in EnergyPro, or with the great team at GreenTech Skillnet, to find out more about career opportunities in renewable energy.

Apply now or get in touch to explore opportunities.

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