Maryland 2021 Clean Energy Industry Report Finds Strong Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Employment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jahmai Sharp-Moore | 443-694-3651

Baltimore, MD- The Maryland Energy Administration today announced the release of the Maryland Clean Energy Industry Report, prepared by BW Research and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) with financial support and guidance from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). This report represents the first comprehensive assessment of Maryland’s clean energy economy. Based on clean energy employment data collected from 2016 to 2020, it offers a baseline assessment of the state’s clean energy workforce as well as insights into the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy industry activity. 

“As Maryland continues to advance clean energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuel programs and policies, the opportunities for clean energy employment and the workforce continue to grow. ,” says Dr. Mary Beth Tung, Ph. D., Esq., Director of MEA. “This report highlights the progress Maryland’s clean energy workforce has experienced over the last seven years as well as the myriad of opportunities to come as we embrace the clean energy economy.”

Key findings of the report include:

• Prior to the pandemic, Maryland experienced significant growth in the clean energy sector, which accounted for one in 10 new jobs in Maryland between 2016 and 2019.
• Between the last quarters of 2019 and 2020, Maryland’s clean energy sector declined by 7.8%, or 6,900 jobs, wiping out more than four years of progressive growth; yet, the state’s clean energy market is rebounding as of the end of 2020. 
• Nearly half (45%) of clean energy jobs in Maryland are in three counties (Montgomery, Baltimore, and Prince George’s) and nearly 10% are in Baltimore City. 
• Many clean energy positions earn higher wages compared to statewide averages, particularly in the entry-level positions, where clean energy electricians, plumbers, iron and steel workers, and HVAC mechanics earn upwards of 60% more than the average entry-level worker in the same trade in Maryland.
• Energy efficiency and clean energy generation are the largest and second largest sources of clean energy jobs.
• With two offshore wind projects in the development pipeline (the MarWind and Skipjack wind farms, which are set to come online in 2030), Maryland’s wind energy sector is likely to create jobs, exceeding any historical estimates, over the next several years.
• The hybrid electric and electric vehicle sub-sectors grew by 21 and 16%, respectively, from 2016 to 2020. 

To view the full report, please visit naseo.org/publications. The results of this report and any subsequent work will inform Maryland’s energy planning into the future. 

See MEA’s 2022 Energy Plan for a perspective of Maryland’s energy goals and directives.