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?
China’s supply chain dominance is forcing other regions to up their energy transition game
02/10/2024
Global clean energy investments have increased significantly over the past decade, rising from $248bn in 2014 to $745bn in 2023, according to Rystad E...
France’s second largest wind farm inaugurated
02/10/2024
With an annual production of nearly 2,000 GWh, Saint-Brieuc will provide energy to nearly one million people. The €2.4bn project began developmen...
Pathway to net zero: UK government and local authorities align for greener homes
02/10/2024
Families across the UK, particularly those in rented accommodation, continue to feel the sting of high energy bills, exacerbated by the broader cost-o...
New data suggests Irish renewables auction ‘fell short of critical 2030 targets’
25/09/2024
Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) announced earlier this month that the RESS 4 auction had provisionally proc...
Stronger integration measures are needed for solar and wind
25/09/2024
Between 2018 and 2023, solar PV and wind capacity more than doubled worldwide, and their share of electricity generation nearly doubled, according to ...
Events and training
Grid Connection Challenges for Renewable Energy Projects
09/10/2024
The South Wales and Southwest (SWSW) branch of the Energy Institute is pleased to host an insightful talk on the grid connection challenges for renewa...
Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA)
09/10/2024 - 11/10/2024
Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA), serves as the pivotal "Transition Bridge," facilitating a just, secure and affordable transition.
UK Energy Policy Debate: Overcoming skills and supply chain challenges in decarbonising
17/10/2024
This UK Energy Policy Debate will be exploring hard-to-fill areas in the current energy sector. Expert speakers will explore solutions on how skills m...
Maintenance Strategy Fundamentals - November 2024
01/11/2024 - 08/11/2024
In this 2 half-day training course, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding to develop an efficient and effective maintenance plan t...
Energy Sustainability Conference 2024
14/11/2024 - 15/11/2024
The Energy Institute (EI) Nigeria branch is proud to host another edition of the Energy Sustainability Conference (ESC). The Energy Sustainability Con...
Technical guidance publications
Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations
002024
‘Hydrogen economy’ is an umbrella term used to describe the role that hydrogen plays in the broader economy, including as a fuel, as an en...
Human factors standards for facility design: Early design quick reference guide
002024
Human factors considerations (ergonomics, anthropometry, etc.) are key to good facility design; however, too often human factors is not considered ear...
Lifesaving rules for the offshore wind industry — Implementation guide
002024
The G+ Lifesaving rules are aimed at providing frontline workers in the offshore wind industry with simple actions they can take to protect themselves...
Safe systems of work principles for the power generation sector
002024
This is a free download to registered users. Register and/or log in to download.A safe system of work (SSoW) is a set of procedures to ensu...
Research report: Global activities in hydrogen development
002024
This report covers various developmental activities across the hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, transportation/distribution, storage, an...