There has been a big drop in investment in large-scale solar and wind farms this year. 

A new report by the Clean Energy Council has revealed a material loss of jobs in the sector due to the increased risk and corresponding slow-down in financial commitments in large-scale renewable projects.

The first two quarters of 2021 delivered just 1,300 peak construction jobs – a loss of 2,700 jobs and a 67.5 per cent decrease on the same two quarters of 2018.

“This is a significant loss for the Australian economy at a time when it's critical to get our nation moving again,” says Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton.

“This represents a major loss of jobs in critical areas such as civil and electrical engineering, project management and logistics as well as the associated jobs in local communities supporting these large construction projects.”

The figure have been released in the wake of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report, which sets out that a transition to 100 per cent renewable energy should be prioritised to mitigate the worst impacts of a looming climate catastrophe.

“Investment in clean energy has fallen to levels not seen for several years as a result of the increased risks facing investors, including from grid connection and network constraints as well as the ongoing unpredictable and unhelpful government policy interventions and market reforms,” Mr Thornton said.

The experts say that continued resistance from the Federal Government to long-term and meaningful carbon targets in the energy sector as well as continued unpredictable energy policy interventions weigh heavily on investor confidence.