Powering Growth Through Smart HR

March 28, 2025 | Industry Insights

The Middle East’s Renewable Energy Boom and Workforce Transformation

The Middle East's renewable energy sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by substantial investments in solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies. Projections indicate that the region's solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is expected to surpass 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, marking a substantial increase from current levels (Rystad Energy, 2024). This rapid expansion underscores the region's commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This transition necessitates the development of more agile, efficient, and future-ready workforce structures to support the scaling of operations. To remain competitive, energy companies must optimize their organizational design and workforce strategies to attract talent, integrate new technologies, and manage dynamic project demands.

Key Workforce Challenges in the Energy Sector

Rapid Industry Growth & Skills Shortages

The transition to renewable energy has significantly increased the demand for skilled engineers, project managers, and technical specialists. Many companies struggle to recruit and develop talent quickly enough to meet industry expansion. A recent report indicates that, by 2030, there will be a global shortage of seven million skilled workers required for climate and energy projects (AON, 2024).

Managing a Multinational Workforce

Energy companies operate across multiple geographies, each with distinct labor laws, cultures, and operational demands. Ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment across a diverse workforce is essential for efficiency (RSM UK, 2025).

Adapting to Emerging Technologies

AI, automation, and digital twin technology are revolutionizing the energy sector. Companies must adapt their organizational structures to integrate these innovations while ensuring their workforce is trained to leverage them effectively. For instance, digital twins are transforming operations by enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, leading to increased efficiency and reduced downtime (EnergyNow, 2024).

Project-Based Workforce Needs

Energy projects often progress through distinct phases—such as development, construction, and operations—that require varying workforce sizes and skill sets. This necessitates the ability to scale teams up or down efficiently while maintaining access to highly skilled professionals. For instance, utility-scale renewable energy projects involve a larger, limited-duration construction workforce initially, followed by a smaller long-term operations and maintenance workforce. This dynamic highlights the importance of flexible staffing strategies to adapt to the evolving workforce demands at each project stage (National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL], 2023).

Best Practices for Workforce Optimization in Energy

Navigating the complexities of the energy sector requires a workforce strategy that is as dynamic as the industry itself. At Fisher, we help energy companies build adaptable organizational structures, implement workforce agility strategies, and streamline HR operations to support sustained growth and innovation.
● Addressing Rapid Industry Growth & Skills Shortages – We design career path frameworks and personalized development programs that equip employees with the skills needed to meet industry demands. Our Organizational Design expertise ensures structured career progression, while our Outsourcing solutions provide access to specialized talent when needed.
● Managing a Multinational Workforce – We develop Organizational Design strategies that foster seamless collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring alignment with local and global operational needs.
● Adapting to Emerging Technologies – Our experts guide companies through technology integration by embedding new digital tools into operational workflows. Whether through Organizational Design adjustments or outsourced project management for technology implementation, we ensure a smooth transition.
● Meeting Project-Based Workforce Demands – Our Outsourcing solutions provide flexible, skilled talent for short-term and long-term energy projects, enabling businesses to scale efficiently while maintaining operational excellence.

With a deep understanding of the energy sector’s unique challenges, Fisher empowers companies to optimize their workforce strategies, drive efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

References

Aon. (2024). Driving a future-proof, skills-based approach for the renewable energy sector. https://www.aon.com/
RSM UK. (2025, February 10). Addressing employment challenges in the energy sector. https://www.rsmuk.com/
Rystad Energy. (2024). Solar PV to help soaring Middle East power demand. https://www.rystadenergy.com/
EnergyNow. (2024). Digital twins in the energy industry: Transforming operations in North America. https://www.energynow.com/
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2023). Workforce evolution in utility-scale renewable energy projects. https://www.nrel.gov/