According to a report from energy think tank Ember, renewable sources, primarily solar and wind power accounted for a record 30% of worldwide electricity generation in 2023.
This growth brings the global target of tripling renewable capacity by 2030 within reach.
At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year, over 100 nations committed to the goal, as reducing fossil fuel usage and emissions in the power sector is vital to combatting climate change.
In an interview, Dave Jones, Ember’s director of global insights, said:
“The rise in solar capacity that happened during 2023 really unlocks the possibility that we are able to reach that level of renewables by 2030, and the tripling of capacity that was promised at COP28.”
The data
Ember’s Global Electricity Review highlights that renewable sources contributed 30.3% of global electricity last year – an increase from 29.4% in 2022. This was fuelled by expanding projects; solar in particular.
China’s contributions accounted for over half of global solar and wind capacity. Worldwide solar generation surged 23.2%, while wind power increased 9.8%.
However, challenges continue, such as grid connectivity and new project permits. They acknowledge that these should be addressed to meet the 2030 renewable energy target.
Ember’s report predicts a 2% decline in fossil fuel power production in 2024. This prediction projects that overall fossil fuel power generation will drop to below 60% of global electricity production for the first time since Ember began collecting data in 2000.
The report concludes that this trend signifies a shift towards decreased fossil fuel usage in the power sector, leading to reduced emissions.
