How to Become a Renewable Energy Engineer in the UK
Renewable energy engineers design, build and improve systems that generate clean power, including solar farms, onshore and offshore wind, hydro, battery storage and grid connections. Depending on the role, you might model energy yield, design electrical layouts, manage installation and commissioning on site, analyse performance data or work on how projects connect to the grid. Employers include energy developers, consultancies, network operators, manufacturers and contractors.
Most renewable energy engineers have an engineering degree and join through a graduate scheme. If you want hands-on work without a degree, wind turbine technician and solar panel installer roles are quicker ways in.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £40,000
- Mid-career salary
- £45,000 - £60,000
- Senior salary
- £70,000 - £100,000+
- Work environment
- Mixed - office, site, occasionally offshore
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 Years (degree + grad scheme)
- Degree required
- Yes - engineering degree usually required
- Category
- Green Energy and Sustainability
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, Stable careers, Career change.
What a Renewable Energy Engineer does
Design, install and optimise renewable energy systems - solar, wind, hydro, storage and grid integration.
- Solar PV Engineer - Design utility-scale and commercial solar installations.
- Wind Engineer - Plan and operate onshore or offshore wind farms.
- Battery Storage Engineer - Specify grid-scale BESS projects and EV charging infrastructure.
How to become a renewable energy engineer in the UK
The usual route is a BEng or MEng in electrical, mechanical, energy or renewable energy engineering, ideally accredited by a professional body such as the IET, IMechE or the Energy Institute. Graduates then join a graduate scheme at an energy developer, consultancy or network operator. Engineering degree apprenticeships let you earn a salary while gaining a degree. Over time you can work towards Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, registered through the Engineering Council. Site roles on wind farms usually need Global Wind Organisation (GWO) safety training, and offshore work also needs offshore survival training and a medical.
- Take maths and physics at A level or equivalent, as almost every engineering degree and degree apprenticeship requires them.
- Study an accredited BEng or MEng in electrical, mechanical or energy engineering, or apply for an engineering degree apprenticeship with an energy company.
- Get a summer internship or placement year with a renewables developer, consultancy or network operator to build design and site experience.
- Learn industry software such as PVsyst for solar yield, plus Python or Excel for performance analysis, and the basics of grid connection studies.
- Apply to graduate schemes in renewables, grid or energy storage, then choose a specialism such as solar, wind, batteries or grid integration.
- Join a professional body such as the IET or Energy Institute and keep a record of your experience so you can work towards IEng or CEng.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited engineering degree plus graduate scheme | 3-4 years, then 2 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers with maths and physics |
| Engineering degree apprenticeship | 4-5 years | Paid by the employer | Earning while you qualify |
| Move across from oil and gas or power engineering | 6-18 months | No direct cost | Experienced engineers |
| Master's in renewable energy engineering | 1 year full-time | Postgraduate fees | Graduates in related subjects |
How long it takes
Expect three to five years, including a degree and the first years of a graduate scheme, before you work as a fully fledged renewable energy engineer. A degree apprenticeship takes a similar time, but you earn throughout.
Renewable Energy Engineer salary in the UK
Graduate renewable energy engineers usually start on around £32,000 to £40,000. With several years of experience, pay rises to about £45,000 to £60,000. Senior, principal and lead engineers, especially in grid connections, offshore wind and battery storage, can earn £70,000 to £100,000 or more. Offshore work, site allowances and chartered status all lift pay, and pay also varies by region and employer. Contract engineers can earn more but have less job security.
Key skills
- Electrical / mechanical engineering
- System design
- Grid integration
- Sustainability literacy
Renewable Energy Engineer FAQs
How do I become a renewable energy engineer?
Take maths and physics, study an accredited engineering degree or a degree apprenticeship, and gain placement experience with a renewables company. Then join a graduate scheme, specialise in an area such as wind, solar or storage, and work towards chartered status.
Do you need a degree to be a renewable energy engineer?
For engineer roles, almost always, though a degree apprenticeship gives you the degree while you earn. If you want hands-on renewables work without a degree, wind turbine technician, solar installer and electrician routes are quicker ways into the sector.
How much does a renewable energy engineer earn in the UK?
Graduate engineers usually start on around £32,000 to £40,000. Experienced engineers earn about £45,000 to £60,000, and senior or principal engineers can earn £70,000 to £100,000 or more, particularly in grid, offshore wind and storage.
Do renewable energy engineers work offshore?
Some do. Offshore wind engineers may spend time on vessels or turbines, which needs offshore safety training, a medical and a head for heights. Many renewable energy engineers work mainly in offices on design and analysis, with occasional site visits.
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