Lack of skilled workers risks Germany's switch to renewables

The shortage of skilled workers threatens to slow down Germany's transition to renewable energy, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW) published on Saturday, reported dpa.

There is currently a shortage of around 216,000 skilled workers for the further development of solar and wind energy, the study stated.

According to the study published by the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe, there is a shortage of electricians, heating and air-conditioning technicians and computer scientists.

Electricians in particular are the "bottleneck of the energy transition," the study said.

"In order not to jeopardize the energy transition, securing skilled labour must be a top priority for all parties involved," said study author Anika Jansen.

The comments come against the background of an existing and broader shortage of skilled workers in Germany.