“I entered this space really by accident,” says Hannah Fernandez, a chief correspondent at Eco-Business. Seven years ago, she traded her 9-to-5 corporate job for a remote role covering sustainability. The pivot came while searching for work that could grant her time for family.
This is just one example of the diverse but often unexpected pathways into the renewable energy space in Southeast Asia.
The Renewable Energy Job Boom
Renewable energy is experiencing unprecedented growth. Global investments hit a record $1.8 trillion in 2023, with numbers expected to climb as nations pledge to triple renewable energy.
In Asia-Pacific, over 15 countries and 670 companies have already set or are in the process of setting climate targets. Renewables are also poised to make up 30-50% of the energy mix in coming years.
These policy changes and market trends create a surge in demand for skilled professionals across various disciplines.
Just last year, jobs in renewable energy grew by 18%, creating 2.5 million jobs globally — this is the highest annual growth rate to date.
Asia stands at the cusp of this change. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines are emerging as key players in solar PV manufacturing and biofuels production, opening up career opportunities.
The region now accounts for over two-thirds of renewable energy jobs in the world, according to a newly released report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
“People believe that tried-and-tested and stable is safer… but I’d like to challenge that,” shared Ping Mendoza who transitioned from real estate to the solar energy industry. “New technology is so fast and business models are changing, the big companies are actually the ones that are disrupted.”
There are also misconceptions around who can participate in the job boom. Many believe renewable energy is a male-dominated field reserved for those with engineering and policymaking backgrounds.
This is no longer the case.
Careers You Never Knew Existed
As the call for climate action grows, so do the demand for renewable energy jobs across Southeast Asia. In a recent roundtable aptly called “Impact Careers You Never Knew Existed”, industry leaders shared their foray into renewable energy and the range of emerging career opportunities — many of which might come as a surprise.
Sustainability Journalist
Hannah Fernandez’ journey into the green sector was entirely unplanned. A former print and TV journalist who later ventured into corporate, she initially applied for a correspondent role with Eco-Business for its remote setup.
“I wish I could say this was because I had this passion for sustainability,” Hannah said. “But it was really because it was a work-from-home setup, which was what interested me since I wanted to have more children.”
Hannah soon found herself captivated by the sector. She attended free workshops and courses late into the night to brush up on industry knowledge. Technical expertise is valuable, but not always a prerequisite, she said.
As a Chief Correspondent, her role now involves daily reporting of sustainability news in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. She recently did a special report on Batangas’ quest to phase out its coal fleet using transition credits.
What started as a practical career move evolved into something more meaningful— a “dual purpose” as Hannah puts it. She now sees her work through the lens of both a journalist and a mother. She believes her reporting contributes to a better world for her children and future generations.
“When I learned more about the sector, I really fell in love with it,” Hannah confessed. “I intend to stay.”
Climate Campaigner
Few would expect architecture studies to lead to a renewable energy career. In the end, this background became an invaluable asset for Tonic Madulid, the Executive Director of youth-led NGO Reboot Philippines.
“What really stuck with me is the foundation on human centered design,” she explained. “Designing should be around the needs of the users… which is a very core architecture concept.”
Her gateway to sustainability began as a student who did research on energy efficiency in public markets and dormitories. A pivotal moment came later when she applied and was admitted to Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Renewable Energy Bootcamp.
These experiences led her to ask: where could she make the most impact in sustainability? The answer pointed to renewable energy, the sector responsible for the highest carbon emissions.
Asked about the exciting trends she sees in the sector, she pointed to the localization and decentralization of jobs.
Many of the players in the field are based in remote, provincial areas.
“Basket weavers have a solar-powered learning hub so they can do live-selling on Facebook undisrupted,” she shared as an example.
Solar Tech Entrepreneur
“I didn’t like my job,” admitted Ping Mendoza, who worked in real estate ten years ago. “Every day you go to work. You wear a tie. We had to measure everything we did by the minute.”
Frustrated with the corporate grind, his trajectory changed when he chanced upon a LinkedIn job ad with a small startup installing solar panels on mall rooftops.
“It was a risk… but when I look back, it was also because I was convinced that there was this huge upside to it.”
The move paid off. Within a year, the startup grew explosively from less than 30 people to 200 employees, riding the early days of the Philippines’ solar industry boom.
Ping later took on sustainability leadership roles with Shell, Clime Capital, and Aboitiz Power. He also co-founded Yuda.com.ph, a residential solar tech startup and is currently the president of the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance.
“I just see it as a way to create so much value for the country,” he said. “That’s the only way to really secure yourself financially in this world. You need to help others.”
Watt’s Next?
The impact jobs you never knew existed are here and they’re shaping the future of work in Southeast Asia.
Watt’s Next is a regional movement led by Jobs That Makesense Asia that aims to trendify the renewable energy sector with events, training opportunities, and job listings across a range of functions.
“Regardless of your background you could really be part of this budding industry,” Belle Sison, the Campaign and Partnerships Lead shared.