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Wind Power

Over 10 percent of the energy generated in Minnesota comes from wind. How does this impact the number of job openings in the wind power industry?

Industry Overview

Minnesota is a national leader at incorporating wind energy into its electricity portfolio, with 10.4 percent of energy generated coming from wind. This share is expected to grow. The state's renewable energy goal is to have 25 percent of its energy come from renewable resources by the year 2025. In October 2009, the American Wind Energy Association counted 84 existing wind projects within Minnesota, producing approximately 1,805 megawatts of power, with four projects under construction. That's enough energy to power over 400,000 homes for a year!

Wind turbines contain approximately 8,000 parts, so the process of producing wind energy requires many industries and occupations. After a wind turbine is made, a wind farm site is constructed and the turbine's tower, blades, nacelle, and internal structure need to be put together. The operation of a wind farm then requires skilled wind farm technicians or mechanics to maintain and repair the wind turbines.

Job Vacancy Survey Results: Wind

A recent survey by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development highlights the growing size of the wind power industry within our state. The survey examines job vacancies to better understand the demand for employment within new fields. The results tell us how this industry, and the jobs within it, is changing in light of growth and innovation in renewable energy.

The goal of the survey was to attempt to collect information from employers who hire operations and maintenance staff for existing wind farms or consulting companies, rather than those at manufacturing, construction, or transportation firms. Fourteen companies were identified as employers of wind turbine technicians in Minnesota.

  • What types of jobs are available in the wind power industry?
    In mid-2009, 16 vacancies were reported in Minnesota:
    • Seventy-five percent of these vacancies were jobs within the installation, repair, and maintenance positions. The most commonly found job title in this category was: wind turbine technician or lead technician.
    • The remaining 25 percent of vacancies were found in management and office or administrative positions. An example of job titles in this category include: land and title manager, bookkeeper, or land acquisition specialist.
  • What education and experience do new jobs in the wind power industry require?
    Employers desired candidates with specific education related to the work plus work experience directly related to the open position.
    • Sixty-nine percent of the vacancies required a vocational education. Nineteen percent required an associate's degree or more education.
    • One hundred percent of the vacancies reported required candidates to have work experience related to the open position.

View the Job Vacancies in Minnesota's Renewable Energy Industries (245KB, .pdf) for complete results.