Energy & the Future: Predictions from Energy Specialists

The Energy industry isn't going anywhere: in fact, as it adapts to a changing world, it's only growing stronger. What trends in the coming years will we see transform the industry for the better?

The light is slowly beginning to shine on the horizon. While the world strives to reach a post-COVID era, the Energy industry is shifting and adapting like never before — proving its resilience despite, or perhaps because of, COVID — and climate-related setbacks that forced the industry to innovate and come out even stronger.

In fact, the industry is growing: nearly two-thirds of employers (65%) expect their workforce to increase in the next twelve months, which could lead to substantial industry growth overall. Indeed, nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents to our 2021 Energy Outlook Report suggest they will see the number of roles go up by more than 10%. 

As the world continues changing and improving, the Energy industry follows suit. Here, we’ll discuss three of the biggest and most impactful trends to look out for in the post-COVID era of Energy. 

Looking ahead, it’s highly encouraging to see that a healthy majority of workers (58%) feel confident about the future of the industry as it transitions away from conventional Energy sources, but they are under no illusions about the profound impact climate change will have.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) said that severe climate change will affect the future of the industry, with 60% saying that increasing interest in renewables and alternative Energy sources were behind reduced demand for Oil and Gas.

The biggest question in the coming years will be how the growth path to green Energy develops. Governments and international organisations around the world, including the UK, EU, and China, have announced plans to achieve net zero emissions within the next three to four decades. In the US, the new administration is poised to diverge sharply from its predecessor when it comes to Energy policy, which could be highly beneficial for American green Energy.

With skilled candidates in short supply and many workers considering their career options during the pandemic, it’s essential for employers to offer competitive salaries and benefits. In 2020, around two fifths of all workers (41%) reported receiving a raise.

On the other end, 17% of workers have seen their income decrease, up from around 10% in 2019. While the decrease is not surprising given the economic hit of COVID-19, the trend is likely to be short-lived with larger salary rises expected once the impact of the pandemic has subsided. More than half of respondents (52%) said they anticipate salaries will rise again in the next 12 months, highlighting the resiliency of the sector.