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?
UK budget extends energy subsidies and supports carbon capture and mini-nuclear reactors – but overlooks energy efficiency and renewables
22/03/2023
As anticipated, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) has been extended for another three months, so the average household will pay no more than £2,500 a y...
Ukraine commissions 114 MW wind power plant
22/03/2023
The first phase of the plant, in the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, will generate 114 MW of electricity. The plant’s total capacity will be 500 ...
UK allocates £205mn budget to power latest renewables auction
22/03/2023
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s flagship mechanism for supporting new British low-carbon electricity generation projects...
European Commission proposes EU electricity market reform
22/03/2023
The EU has had an efficient, well-integrated electricity market for over 20 years, allowing consumers to reap the economic benefits of a single energy...
Oman signs $20bn green hydrogen agreements
22/03/2023
According to the Omani state news agency, state-owned Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) has signed six agreements with a number of hydrogen developers, that will...
Events and training
Energy Security - The Future of UK Energy
30/03/2023
Please note this event has been postponed until 30 March. All details remain the same.The Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands YPN warmly invite you t...
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - April 2023
24/04/2023
About: This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping ...
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - October 2023
02/10/2023
About: This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping ...
EI LIVE Maintenance Strategy Fundamentals - October 2023
04/10/2023
In this 2 half-day training course, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding to develop an efficient and effective maintenance plan t...
Technical guidance publications
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...
Research report: Application of life cycle assessment methodology to the understanding of the energy balance and efficiency of hydrogen value chain building blocks
2022
This document is free to download for registered users.This publication explores the efficiencies of the hydrogen energy system and quantifies the ene...
EI 1533 Quality assurance requirements for semi-synthetic jet fuel and synthetic blending components (SBC)
2022
EI 1533 provides quality assurance requirements and recommendations for the manufacture of synthetic (jet fuel) blending components (in accordance wit...
Minimal staffing and lone working: ensuring employee safety and wellbeing in the power sector
2022
This publication is free to download for registered members of this site.This publication provides good practice guidance to help organisations manage...
Design and operational guidance on cathodic protection of offshore structures, subsea installations and pipelines
2022
This publication provides guidance for the design and operation of cathodic protection (CP) on offshore structures, subsea installations and pipelines...