Join Bryony Worthington, the founder of Ember, and Nicolas Fulghum, lead author of the Global Electricity Review, as they dive into the global electricity landscape. They discuss how clean electricity surpassed 40% of global generation in 2024, fueled by solar advancements. Insights on how China's energy decisions impact global trends stand out. The conversation also covers rising demand for electricity driven by electrification, the role of battery technology, and the geopolitical influences shaping the transition to cleaner energy.
Clean electricity generation has reached a historic high of 40.9%, driven primarily by significant advancements in solar and wind technologies.
Solar energy deployment is rapidly increasing, doubling every two years, and adapting well to diverse global markets, even without substantial government support.
Electricity demand is rising sharply due to factors like climate change and electrification, with clean sources expected to satisfy future growth and displace fossil fuels.
Deep dives
Global Clean Energy Growth
Low carbon sources, which include renewables and nuclear, have reached a significant milestone of 40.9% of the world's total electricity generation. This marks a historical high, not seen since the 1940s, and signifies a substantial shift towards clean energy. The increasing contributions from wind and solar energy are key players in this growth, with their deployment rapidly gaining momentum over the last decade. Projections indicate that this percentage could rise to 50% by 2030, showcasing the accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies.
The Solar Surge
Solar energy has emerged as a major contributor to global electricity generation, now accounting for 7% and showing signs of rapid growth. The deployment of solar capacity is doubling every two years, reflecting an S-curve adoption pattern similar to technological advancements in the past. Notably, countries like Pakistan are experiencing a boom in distributed solar systems without significant government involvement, underscoring the potential for informal energy production. This phenomenon highlights solar's adaptability and the strong demand for affordable energy solutions across various global markets.
The Dynamics of Demand
Electricity demand is notably increasing, driven by factors such as rising temperatures and a growing electrification of various sectors like data centers and electric vehicles. In 2024, demand growth was particularly high due to heat waves, exceeding the historical averages and indicating an underlying structural increase. Clean energy sources managed to satisfy nearly all the demand growth this year, with a projected continuance of this trend into the future. Analysts forecasting a steady rise in electricity demand expect that wind and solar can keep pace with this increasing need while further displacing fossil fuels.
Challenges and Opportunities for Wind
Wind energy, while still growing, has faced recent fluctuations, reflected in a slight dip in generation growth due to less favorable weather conditions. However, the installation of new wind capacity remains strong, particularly in China and regions where supportive policies are enabling larger projects. A lack of public support and local opposition can stall further wind projects, especially in contrast to the modular and distributed nature of solar installations. Despite these challenges, the overall trajectory for wind energy seems positive as innovations and technological advancements make it a more viable and economically stable energy source.
The Role of Gas in the Transition
Natural gas continues to play a complex role in the energy transition, with the U.S. relying on it to decarbonize, while other countries face dilemmas regarding its long-term viability. The global gas supply is feeling the strain from rising prices and competition, leading to a potential slowdown in its use alongside coal. The popularity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in emerging markets may introduce risks of renewed reliance on fossil fuels. However, as the economic benefits of renewables become more apparent, the broader shift toward clean energy sources is likely to continue outweighing any temporary boosts from gas.
In this episode, I dig into the just-released Global Electricity Review from the think tank Ember, with founder Bryony Worthington and lead author Nicolas Fulghum. Clean electricity surpassed 40 percent of global generation in 2024, driven by record solar deployment. We explore solar's rapid doubling, the pace of demand growth, and the way China's clean energy decisions shape global trends.
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