More that 400,000 people will need to be recruited into the energy sector if the UK is to meet its target of net-zero emissions by 2050 the National Grid has claimed.

A new report, Building the Net Zero Energy Workforce, written in partnership with Development Economics, considers the implications of the Committee on Climate Change’s advice that net-zero will require fundamental changes to how energy is generated, distributed and used.

In the North East, for example, the research shows more than 21,000 new recruits will be needed to deliver projects such as offshore wind and the interconnector off the coast of Blyth in Northumberland. Almost 28,000 roles will be needed to work on projects including the further development of offshore wind farms in the East of England, while the development of carbon capture and storage in the Yorkshire and Humber region is projected to support the creation of over 17,000 jobs. In Scotland, workers with net zero-related skills will be needed to fill over 48,000 jobs by 2050 with a further 25,000 roles expected in Wales.

Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Tackling climate change is not only saving the planet, but is significantly boosting our economy. As we work to reduce our emissions to net zero by 2050, the UK has the potential to support two million green-collar jobs across our world-class renewables sector, among other industries.”

The report estimates that of the 400,000 roles that need to be filled over the next 30 years, the sector needs to recruit 117,000 this decade if it is to meet key milestones up to 2050. The report identifies four strategic challenges, warning of a looming retirement crunch, stiff competition for talent with other sectors and a pipeline of young people pursuing STEM qualifications that is still too narrow.

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