Sunshine State now boasts more than 174,000 advanced energy jobs, a significant sector that grew 5% last year, more than double Florida’s overall jobs growth

TALLAHASSEE, October 1, 2019 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released a fact sheet showing that Florida has 174,100 people working in advanced energy across the state. This represents more workers than those in Real Estate Sales, Leasing & Management (143,068), and more than triple those working in Agriculture (56,711) across the state.

Florida advanced energy jobs grew 5% last year (over 2017), more than double the state’s overall jobs growth rate (2%). The fastest growing segments were Advanced Vehicles (18%) and Advanced Grid and Energy Storage (17%).

“With more than 174,000 workers and a 5% increase expected this year, advanced energy holds significant opportunities for economic growth in Florida,” said Gloria Li, Policy Associate with Advanced Energy Economy. “As the advanced energy industry continues to grow, policymakers can take action now to help expand the economic impact of the industry.”     

The 2018 Florida employment data showed:

• Energy efficiency led advanced energy employment with more than 118,400 jobs.
• Advanced Generation supported 36,600 jobs, including 11,500 in high-efficiency (combined cycle) natural gas, 10,500 in solar, and 5,200 in bioenergy and combined heat and power.
• Advanced Vehicles accounted for 9,400 Florida jobs, including 4,500 in plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
• Advanced Grid and Energy Storage technologies supported 5,500 jobs, up from 4,700 in 2017.
• Strong 5% jobs growth in the state is expected by employers this year.
• Top 5 counties were: Miami-Dade (19,700); Palm Beach (16,800); Hillsborough (16,100); Broward (15,800); and Orange (14,300).

“This report shows that investing in advanced energy is good for Florida’s economy,” said Li. “Florida has major opportunities to expand solar energy, which supports over 10,000 jobs already, and electric vehicles, where Florida ranks fourth in the nation for sales and the number of jobs here increased by 1,000 in the past year.”

“With 5% growth in jobs expected in 2019, Florida should look to harness the power of the advanced energy to grow the economy,” continued Li. “We look forward to working with Governor DeSantis and legislative leaders to support energy policies that are a win for Florida’s economy and consumers alike.”

Data and Analysis: These figures for 2018 employment were derived from data collected for the 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, produced by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and collected and analyzed by BW Research Partnership, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

About Advanced Energy Economy:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. Engaged at the federal level and in more than a dozen states around the country, including Florida, AEE represents more than 100 companies in the $238 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which employs 3.5 million U.S. workers. Learn more at www.aee.net, track the latest news @AEEnet.