Solar and wind power has grown faster than electricity demand this year, report says
Written by ALEXA ST. JOHN
This year, solar and wind power generation on a global scale has exceeded electricity demand, marking the first time in history that renewable energies have produced more power than coal, according to a recent analysis.
Ember, an energy think tank, released a report after midnight London time on Tuesday, revealing that global solar generation surged by a record 31% in the first half of the year, while wind generation grew by 7.7%. The combined solar and wind generation increased by over 400 terawatt hours, surpassing the overall global demand growth during the same period.
This data suggests that it is feasible for the world to transition away from polluting power sources, even with a rising demand for electricity, by continuing to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, and geothermal energies.
Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, senior electricity analyst at Ember and lead author of the study, stated, “That means that they can keep up the pace with growing appetite for electricity worldwide.”
Meanwhile, fossil fuel generation experienced a slight decrease, falling by less than 1%.
Wiatros-Motyka noted, “The fall overall of fossil may be small, but it is significant. This is a turning point when we see emissions plateauing.”
The report analyzes monthly data from 88 countries, representing the majority of electricity demand worldwide. The reasons for the increasing demand include economic growth, electric vehicles, data centers, rising populations in developing nations, and the need for more cooling as temperatures rise.
Analysis of Major Markets
Ember’s report also delves into an analysis of China, India, the European Union, and the U.S., which collectively account for nearly two-thirds of electricity generation and carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector globally.
In the first six months of the year, China added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, while its fossil fuel generation decreased by 2%.
India experienced record growth in solar and wind energy, outpacing demand growth. The country also saw a decline in fossil fuel generation and emissions.
Michael Gerrard, founder and director of the Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, commented on the report, stating, “This report highlights an encouraging step in the opposite direction” from the notion that renewable energy does not reduce fossil fuel use.
However, in the U.S., the growth in demand surpassed the expansion of clean power generation. In the E.U., sluggish wind and hydropower generation led to increased coal and gas generation, resulting in higher emissions.
Challenges in the U.S.
The clean energy market in the U.S. faces obstacles as the Trump administration shifts federal policy away from renewables and towards boosting coal, oil, and gas production. The administration has terminated funding for clean energy projects, repealed climate-related regulations, and halted wind energy developments.
Conversely, the administration has eased restrictions on coal mining, provided regulatory relief to coal-fired power plants, and allocated funds to support coal plants.
Experts caution that these efforts to hinder clean energy will have lasting consequences, particularly as the demand for electricity increases due to the growth of artificial intelligence.
Despite these challenges, there is still optimism that renewables can continue to displace fossil fuels, both in the U.S. and globally.
Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on Twitter: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at ast.john@ap.org.
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