New data shows that in 2023, renewable energy generated a record-breaking 30% of the world's electricity due to the rapid growth in wind and solar power.
This study on the global power system by climate think tank Ember also revealed that, despite increasing electricity demand, the planet may be on the brink of reducing fossil fuel generation.
Global Fossil Fuel Production Expected to Drop 2% in 2025
Dave Jones, director of global insights at Ember, noted that "the renewables future has arrived." He said that "solar, in particular, is accelerating faster than anyone thought possible," adding that "the decline of power sector emissions is now inevitable."
The Guardian reported that Ember predicts a 2% drop in global fossil fuel production next year due to renewable energy growth. Jones said that it is safe to say that 2023 was the turning point in the energy industry when power sector emissions peaked.
However, the rate of reduction in emissions is contingent upon the speed with which the transition to renewable generation is sustained.
Clean Power Has Reduces Fossil Fuel Growth by Approximately Two-Thirds
According to Euronews, the analysis from Ember states that clean power has contributed to almost a two-thirds reduction in fossil fuel use over the last decade.
The report revealed that renewable energy sources accounted for over 30% of the world's power last year, up from 19% in 2000.Based on the study, solar power increased electrical output by over 100% in 2023, surpassing coal's contribution by a wide margin.
It surpassed wind power to become the biggest source of new energy for the second year in a row and the fastest-growing source of electricity for 19 years in a row. The analysis includes data from 215 nations and 80 countries, accounting for 92% of global consumption.
Join the Conversation