O most recent study da IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) indicated that the implementation of renewables in the world hit record in 2023 – reaching 3.870 GW. In total, they were responsible for 86% of installed capacity last year.
According to the report, the solar energy dominated capacity expansion, being responsible for 73% of observed growth, followed by energy wind power with 24%.
The expansion of 473 GW in 2023 of renewables was headed by the Asian continent (326 GW), more specifically China, which reached the 287,6 GW mark. The difference is striking when compared to the African continent, which reached 62 GW of power.
“This extraordinary increase in renewable energy generation capacity shows that they are the only technology available to accelerate the energy transition considering the objectives of the Paris Agreement,” said Francesco La Camera, director general of IRENA.
“However, the data also serves as a telling sign that progress is not fast enough to add the 7,2 TW of power needed over the next seven years under the 1,5°C scenario. World Energy Transitions Outlook of IRENA”, he highlighted.
La Camera further added that policy interventions and a global course correction are urgently needed to effectively overcome structural barriers and create local value in emerging markets and developing economies, many of which are still left behind in this progress.
“Concentration patterns, both in geography and technology, threaten to intensify the decarbonization gap and represent a significant risk to achieving the tripling goal”, he pointed out.
Growth in other regions
In addition to China, other regions that saw a significant increase were the Middle East (16,6%) and Oceania (9,4%). According to the research, the G20 countries, together, reached the mark of 3.084 GW, which represents an increase of around 15%.
However, for the world to reach more than 11 TW, only G20 members need to reach 9,4 TW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
IRENA recommends placing developing countries as a priority, through a considerable increase in financing, as well as strong international collaboration to accelerate the energy transition.
Other technological highlights
- Off-grid systems: with a growth of 4,6%, off-grid systems reached 12,7 GW in regions outside Europe, North America and Eurasia. Solar plants are the majority, with around 5 GW;
- Hydropower: capacity reached 1.270 GW, but expanded less than in recent years;
- Wind energy: with growth dominated by China and the USA, total capacity reached the 1017 GW mark;
- Geothermal energy: increased by 193 MW, led by Indonesia.
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