Renewables now make up almost 29% of global electricity generation
Renewable energy is derived from resources that are replenished on a human timescale; examples include sunlight, wind, rains, waves, tides, geothermal heat and biomass. Renewable energy is used in three main areas: electricity generation, air and water heating and cooling, and transportation. Renewables are also suited to provide off-grid energy solutions in rural and remote areas. The overall production and use of renewable energy usually produce minimal greenhouse gases and have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution compared to hydrocarbon alternatives. Deployment of renewable energy also has potential energy security benefits, with renewable resources spread over wide geographical areas.
In light of the current greenhouse gas-driven warming of the climate and the associated impacts, a global transition to low carbon energy is underway with renewable energy at the forefront. Related technologies are rapidly becoming more efficient and falling in costs; some renewable energy forms like solar PV and onshore wind that once depended heavily on government support are now at or approaching cost-parity with fossil fuel generation. Since most renewables produce electricity, increasing the share of renewable energy in the whole energy system can be achieved by electrifying the heat and transport sectors, in combination with increasing the proportion of electricity provided by renewables. Besides electrification, the transport sector can benefit from biofuels which can substitute for oil products. The heat sector can see further deployment of solar water heating, biomass-fuelled burners and direct geothermal heating. Renewable energy is expected to continue expanding its share in the energy mix, as costs come down, innovative technologies are commercialised, and environmental drivers strengthen. The EU has a target for 32% of all electricity to be generated from renewables by 2030. To meet these climate and sustainability goals, renewable energy deployment must accelerate in all sectors, enabled by policy and markets.
You can find further information below about the technologies, costs and current developments within each of the seven major types of renewables:
Learn more about renewables by reading our Energy Insights.
For the latest news and articles on renewable energy read New Energy World.
View our dedicated Collections on Hydrogen and Offshore Wind.
0.0 GW
of solar energy capacity was added in 2021, leading to more solar capacity than wind capacity worldwide (IRENA)
0%
of new renewables capacity was seen in Asia in 2021 with a huge increase of 121 GW added in China (IRENA)
0%
of global renewable generation capacity came from hydropower in 2021 at 1360 GW, including pumped storage (IRENA)
0GW
of operational wind power capacity is available in the UK in 2022, powering the equivalent of around 18,000 homes (RenewableUK)
What's new?
Novel wave energy system deployed off Portugal
13/03/2024
The C4 wave energy converter (WEC) was deployed in the Atlantic, off the coast of northern Portugal, and demonstrated the technology’s ability to ‘tu...
New gas power plants needed to ‘reinforce’ energy supply – UK government
13/03/2024
The government’s backing for the construction of new gas-fired power plants forms part of the second consultation on the Review of Electricity Market ...
Australia declares new offshore wind zone in Southern Ocean
13/03/2024
After consultation with local leaders, industry and community groups, the final area is 1,030 km2 – one fifth of the originally proposed zone and no l...
US solar installations skyrocket in first full year of Inflation Reduction Act
13/03/2024
The US solar industry added a record-breaking 32.4 GW of new electric generating capacity in 2023 – a 37% increase from the previous record set in 202...
Construction begins on largest second-generation biofuels plant in southern Europe
06/03/2024
The new plant will produce 500,000 t/y of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (hydrogenated vegetable oil, or HVO), using agricultura...
Events and training
2024 Southern Scotland Networking Evening
20/03/2024
Exclusive Networking Evening tailored for young professionals working in the energy sector.
EI LIVE I Technical Webinar: Green hydrogen
25/03/2024
Technical Webinar: Green hydrogenThe energy transition continues to drive global momentum behind limiting climate change. International efforts are un...
UK Energy Policy Debate: Battle for Energy Ideas
18/04/2024
This April sees the return of the Energy Institute’s Energy Policy Debates, exploring the ‘Battle of the Energy Ideas’, where distin...
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - April 2024
22/04/2024 - 26/04/2024
About:This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping p...
Technical guidance publications
Human factors standards for facility design: Early design quick reference guide
2024
Human factors considerations (ergonomics, anthropometry, etc.) are key to good facility design; however, too often human factors is not considered ear...
G+ Integrated Offshore Emergency Response (G+ IOER) Good practice guidelines for offshore renewable energy developments
2023
This publication is available to download for free.This document has been produced to share good practice within the offshore renewable energy industr...
Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation
2023
Solar photovoltaic (PV), which converts sunlight into electricity, is an important source of renewable energy in the 21st century. PV plant installati...
Research report: Assessing environmental impacts of energy storage technologies for grid scale applications
2023
This report is free to download for subscribers. Register or log in to download.Energy storage is a key element for effectively harnessing ...
Waste to products – Technology and economic assessment (phase 1)
2022
This document is free to download for registered users.The EMG and Soil Wastes and Groundwater group (SWG) of the EI and Concawe have commissioned E4t...