Skip navigation
Back

Energy Plant Operatives

Energy plant operatives operate boilers to produce hot water or steam and attend and operate compressors, turbines, electrical substations, switchboards and auxiliary plant and machinery to fuel nuclear reactors, drive blowers and pumps, electricity generators and other equipment.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£24,308
£35,805
£54,831

New workers start around £24,308. Normal pay is £35,805 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £54,831.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 6,669 vacancies for this type of job

3.77%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Carries out minor maintenance tasks and prescribed tests and reports any faults.

  • Records instrument readings periodically and shuts down turbine/generator or boiler as demand decreases.

  • Adjusts controls to maintain correct running speed of turbine or generator and monitors temperature and pressure controls on boilers.

  • Operates remote control panel to load fuel and remove discharged fuel elements from nuclear reactors.

  • Opens valves and operates controls to regulate the flow of fuel to boiler or generating equipment.

  • Determines job requirements from switchboard attendant or operating instructions.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Boilers

  • Plumbing

  • Heating Systems

  • Machinery

  • Air Source Heat Pump

  • Risk Analysis

  • Renewable Energy

  • Housekeeping

  • Oil and Gas

  • Power BI

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Operations

  • Customer Service

  • Management

  • Detail Oriented

  • Problem Solving

  • Self-Motivation

  • Planning

  • Professionalism

  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all

Renewable Energy Engineering

Southampton, Solent University

BEng (Hon) · 3 Years · Full-time · Southampton · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 104/120

Energy Engineering

Newcastle College University Centre

FdEng · 2 Years · Full-time · Newcastle upon Tyne · 08/09/2025

Tariff points: 64/64

Energy Engineering

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · Elgin · 09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Renewable Energy Engineering

University of Portsmouth

MEng · 5 Years · Sandwich · Portsmouth · 22/09/2025

Tariff points: 120/128

Electrical Energy Systems

University of Strathclyde

MEng · 5 Years · Full-time · Glasgow · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: N/A

Energy

Ulster University

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Sandwich · Belfast · 15/09/2025

Tariff points: 112/117

Engineering Foundation

De Montfort University

BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · Leicester · 09/2025

Tariff points: 56/56

Manufacturing Engineering

Newham College of Further Education

HND · 2 Years · Full-time · London · 20/01/2026

Tariff points: 64/64

Related careers

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Professionals

Engineering Technicians

Building and Civil Engineering Technicians

Metal Machining Setters and Setter-operators

Vehicle Technicians, Mechanics and Electricians

TV, Video and Audio Servicers and Repairers

Security System Installers and Repairers

Plastics Process Operatives

Mining and Quarry Workers and Related Operatives

Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives

Related industry guides

See all

Engineering and manufacturing