Renewables Overtake Coal as World's Biggest Source of Electricity in Historic Shift
According to new data from the global energy think tank Ember, renewable energy has surpassed coal as the world's leading source of electricity in the first half of this year. This marks a historic shift towards cleaner energy production, with solar and wind power meeting 100% of the extra electricity demand.
The growth in renewables was so strong that it helped drive a slight decline in coal and gas use globally. However, Ember notes that the headlines mask a mixed global picture, with developing countries leading the clean energy charge while richer nations relied more on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
Developing countries, particularly China, played a significant role in driving the growth of renewables. According to Ember's data, China accounted for over 40% of the world's new renewable capacity additions in the first half of this year. In contrast, the US and EU saw an increase in their reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
"This is a historic moment for the energy sector," said Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). "The growth of renewables is outpacing demand for coal and gas, which is a positive trend for the environment."
However, experts caution that the shift towards renewables is not uniform across all regions. In some countries, such as Australia and Japan, coal remains a significant source of electricity generation.
"The transition to cleaner energy sources will take time," said Dr. Birol. "But with continued investment in renewable technologies and policies to support their growth, we can accelerate this transition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
The data from Ember highlights the growing importance of renewables in meeting global electricity demand. As the world's population continues to grow, the need for clean energy sources will only increase.
In the first half of this year, global electricity demand grew by 3%, with renewables accounting for over 90% of this growth. Solar and wind power led the charge, with solar capacity additions increasing by 25% and wind capacity additions rising by 15%.
The shift towards renewables is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by declining costs and increasing investment in clean energy technologies.
As the world's largest source of electricity generation shifts from coal to renewables, policymakers and industry leaders are taking note. Governments around the world are setting ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, with some countries aiming to reach 100% renewable electricity generation by mid-century.
The transition to a cleaner energy future is underway, and it's clear that renewables will play an increasingly important role in meeting global electricity demand.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC Business.
