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Renewable energy
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 GW
of solar energy capacity was added in 2021, leading to more solar capacity than wind capacity worldwide (IRENA)
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of new renewables capacity was seen in Asia in 2021 with a huge increase of 121 GW added in China (IRENA)
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of global renewable generation capacity came from hydropower in 2021 at 1360 GW, including pumped storage (IRENA)
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of operational wind power capacity is available in the UK in 2022, powering the equivalent of around 18,000 homes (RenewableUK)
What's new?
Latest Statistical Review of World Energy signposts age of energy additions
26/06/2025
In a year when average air temperatures consistently breached the 1.5°C warming threshold, global CO₂-equivalent emissions from energy rose by 1%, mar...
Voltage missteps triggered the Iberian power outage, says Spanish government – but little consensus exists on who is responsible
25/06/2025
Presenting the incident report to Spain’s Council of Ministers last week, Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge Sara Aagese...
UK supercharges offshore wind with £1bn investment
25/06/2025
The funding will support the production of turbines, floating platforms, high-voltage cables and emerging technologies, as well as upgrades to key por...
Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 UK businesses by green levy cuts
25/06/2025
The Industrial Strategy sets out a 10-year plan to boost investment, create skilled jobs and tackles two key challenges facing UK industry – high elec...
Chinese carmakers drive global EV sales rise, say BNEF and ICCT
25/06/2025
BloombergNEF’s annual Electric Vehicle Outlook (EVO) expects sales of battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles to grow 25% this year ...
Events and training
Level 3: Advanced Energy Manager
29/09/2025
This 9-day course is an advanced qualification aiming to support experienced energy managers to further advance their careers by gaining the skills an...
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - October 2025
06/10/2025
About:This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping p...
Maintenance Strategy Fundamentals - October 2025
17/10/2025
In this 2 half-day training course on the 17 & 20 of October 2025, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding to develop an efficie...