Welcome to the second edition of the LSP Renewables Quarterly Directors Report for 2025.
Following a busy start to the year, Q2 has delivered a dynamic and at times challenging landscape across the renewable energy sector. This quarter, our APAC Regional Director, Morad Bantal, shares his insights on the evolving markets, the pressures and opportunities shaping hiring strategies, and what we’re seeing on the ground across Asia-Pacific.
Sector Overview
APAC:
Taiwan:
- Wind Power: Taiwan is a regional leader in offshore wind, with Round 3 auctions advancing new capacity and construction.
- Solar Power: Rooftop solar is expanding, particularly in industrial zones. However, land scarcity limits utility-scale solar development.
- Grid: Regulatory reforms are underway to enhance grid transparency and coordination, aiming to better integrate variable renewables.
- Storage: Pilot battery storage projects are being scaled up to support grid stability and manage intermittency.
South Korea:
- Wind Power: Offshore wind is a national priority, with large-scale projects like the Sinan complex progressing. Permitting and local resistance remain hurdles.
- Solar Power: Growth is steady, with innovation in floating solar and urban installations.
- Grid: Investments in smart grid technologies and interconnection upgrades are supporting South Korea’s 2030 renewable energy goals.
- Storage: Government-backed incentives are accelerating battery storage deployment, especially for industrial and grid-support applications.
Europe:
- Wind Power: Offshore wind continues to expand, especially in the North Sea. However, policy uncertainty and permitting delays are slowing new onshore projects.
- Solar Power: Growth remains strong, but interconnection bottlenecks and grid congestion are emerging challenges. Solar PPA prices declined globally, helping accelerate deployment across EU markets.
- Grid: Aging infrastructure and slow permitting for upgrades are limiting the pace of renewable integration. However in the UK the great grid update is underway, with a goal of connecting 40gws of Offshore Wind by 2030.
- Storage: Battery storage is scaling up, especially in Germany and Spain, but deployment is still behind targets.
Americas:
- Wind Power: Offshore wind has faced challenges so far in 2025, due to the regulatory pause issued by President Trump, however Onshore Wind is showing some signs of recovery after a challenging few years. Overall the outlook is mixed, due to political and economic headwinds.
- Solar Power: Solar remains the fastest-growing source, supported by IRA incentives. Chile and Mexico are also seeing strong solar deployment.
- Grid: The US is investing in grid edge technologies and interregional transmission, but permitting remains a bottleneck
- Storage: The US leads in battery storage deployment, with California and Texas at the forefront.
APAC
This quarter has been anything but quiet. The APAC market is growing, but not in one direction — some countries are accelerating, others pausing or shifting focus, and nearly all are facing new pressures. It’s been a real-time test of adaptability, and our teams have stepped up throughout.
We’re now operating with the strongest APAC team we’ve ever had. This isn’t just about headcount, but capability, depth, and commitment. Our growth reflects how closely we work with clients — delivering faster, and with sharper insight — to support the region’s energy future.
Taiwan remains a regional leader. Despite global headwinds in offshore wind, it continues to push forward. Grid access, supply chain issues, and regulation remain challenges, but the urgency and commitment from local authorities and international developers stand out. We’re seeing renewed hiring demand for project leadership and flexible technical expertise.
South Korea is gaining momentum. The recent 1.25 GW offshore wind tender marked a turning point. Developers are restructuring project teams, and we’re seeing increased demand across development, permitting, and stakeholder engagement roles. It’s not full speed yet — but the direction is clear.
Southeast Asia remains complex. There are pockets of movement — utility-scale solar in Thailand, policy shifts in the Philippines, early progress in Indonesia — but large, bankable projects are still limited. However, interest is growing in how these markets will connect with wider regional strategies, especially in transmission and storage.
Australia and New Zealand are showing greater confidence. Projects are progressing steadily in onshore wind, solar, and storage, and the talent market is active. Experienced professionals are in high demand, and ANZ-based talent is increasingly considered for senior roles across the broader region.
Industry Challenges
Offshore wind delays continue to disrupt plans across much of the region. Japan’s slow permitting process, local opposition in pockets of Korea, and delayed financial close in key Taiwanese projects have all contributed to uncertainty. For many of our clients, this has meant revising hiring timelines or rethinking their workforce structures altogether.
The broader geopolitical climate is also having an effect. As governments tighten their focus on domestic supply chains and national energy security, cross-border hiring has become more complicated. We are having more conversations than ever around visa challenges, relocation hesitations, and regional shifts in hiring strategy.
Perhaps the most critical challenge is one we have been tracking for some time: the lack of new talent entering the market. There is no question that the sector is growing faster than the talent pipeline. Without investment in early-career recruitment and better integration of adjacent industries, the skills gap will continue to widen. We are encouraging our clients to act now, rather than wait for the gap to become a full-blown crisis.
Candidate Advice
We've seen a clear shift in candidate priorities across offshore wind. More professionals are choosing roles based on the stability and longevity of projects, rather than the reputation or security of companies. This mindset has become more pronounced as restructures, cost reviews, and market corrections continue across key players in the industry.
Despite this, the long-term outlook remains strong. With global climate targets still driving urgency, momentum is expected to return — and when it does, demand will rebound quickly.
For those navigating their next move, consider the following strategies:
- Align with long-term projects that offer phased delivery and visibility
- Explore relocation to active or stabilising markets in APAC, Europe, or North America
- Diversify into adjacent technologies such as floating wind, storage, or hydrogen
- Look for roles that contribute to grid infrastructure, permitting, or regulatory change
- Support emerging markets where energy transition is gaining policy support
2025 is proving to be a year of transition. For candidates who remain agile and open, there are strong opportunities to shape a future-proof career.
To discuss these options further, please feel free to reach out to one of LSP Renewables’ recruitment experts for advice and market insight.