Clean energy powered 40% of global electricity in 2024, report finds
a year ago
- #climate-change
- #solar-power
- #renewable-energy
- Clean power sources met over 40% of global electricity demand in 2023, a first since the 1940s.
- Solar power capacity doubled in the last three years, becoming the fastest-growing energy source for 20 consecutive years.
- Solar contributed nearly 7% of global electricity in 2023, while wind power accounted for just over 8%.
- Hydropower remains the largest renewable source, providing 14% of global electricity in 2024.
- Clean energy (including nuclear and bioenergy) is growing faster than global electricity demand, potentially displacing fossil fuels.
- Despite hopes for declining emissions, heatwaves in 2023 increased electricity demand, causing a 1.4% rise in fossil fuel use.
- Global power sector emissions reached an all-time high in 2023, rising by 1.6%.
- Future electricity demand growth is expected from AI, data centers, EVs, and heat pumps, which contributed to a 0.7% demand increase in 2024.
- Solar and wind energy are poised to meet rising demand, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.