Wind Energy Operations Managers

The wind energy industry is among the fastest growing sectors of the renewable-energy industry, due primarily to its lower production costs. Improvements to and innovations in wind energy technology and equipment have reduced the cost of wind-generated electricity by about 80 percent in the past 20 years; this nearly matches the cost of electricity generated by conventional sources such as coal or nuclear power.

The American Wind Energy Association estimates that the U.S. wind energy industry will continue to have strong growth in the coming years. According to the association, a record 6,309 MW of additional wind capacity came online during the first nine months of 2020, pushing the nation's total number of wind turbines beyond 60,000. As the new decade began, wind turbines could be found in 41 states, and in Puerto Rico and Guam. "U.S. wind power has more than tripled over the past decade, and today is the largest source of renewable electricity in the country," the AWEA explains.

The Department of Labor does not provide information on wind energy operations managers. It does, however, predict that wind turbine service technicians will have 61 percent employment growth through 2029, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations. A growing number of wind turbines are being installed and operations managers, technicians, and other workers will be needed to operate and maintain them. However, the DOL forecasts that managers, all other, will have 2 percent employment decline through 2029.

Wind energy operations is a small field and competition for jobs is expected to be keen. Employment opportunities will be best in areas such as the Great Plains, the Midwest, and along the coasts of the United States. Wind energy operations managers with relevant work experience and strong technology and interpersonal skills will have the best chances of finding work.