L R AS Published on Tuesday 5 April 2022 - n° 400 - Categories:various sectors
According to Ember, the global electricity transition is "well on track".
Worldwide, solar and wind power has reached a record high of 10.3% by 2021. Fifty countries have reached this threshold, including the world's five largest economies. YetCO2 emissions from the power sector are at a record high,
according to the energy think tank Ember.
Wind and solar power generation increased by 17% in 2021 (+23% for solar and +14% for wind) while all clean electricity sources generated 38% of the world's electricity in 2021, more than coal (36%).All clean electricity sources generated 38% of the world's electricity in 2021, more than coal (36%).
Wind and solar generated one-tenth (10.3%) of the world's electricity for the first time in 2021, up from 9.3% in 2020. These two energy sources must maintain a growth rate of 20% per year over the decade to achieve the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C. This is the same growth rate as in the 2010 decade. Solar in Europe is also booming, producing 27% more electricity last year than in 2019 and contributing 6% of Europe's electricity.
After the 2020 pandemic, global electricity demand rebounded with the largest increase in absolute terms, equivalent to the consumption of a new state like India.
Only 29% of the global increase in electricity demand in 2021 was met by wind and solar power, with the remaining demand met by fossil fuels despite the falling cost of renewable energy.
CO2 emissions from the power sector hit a "record high", rising by 7% in 2021, the highest percentage increase since 2010 and the highest absolute increase on record. This 7% increase follows a decrease of only 3% in 2020, putting emissions at a higher level than before the pandemic
Ember believes that the global electricity transition is "well underway". "More wind and solar power is being added to the grids than ever before. And not just in a few countries, but around the world."
PV Tech of 30 March 2022
Editor's note Ember's relative confidence in the installation of new solar or wind power plants ("the energy transition is on track"), is in contrast to the alarm call of theThe relative confidence of Ember in the installation of new solar or wind power plants ("the energy transition is on track"), is in contrast to the alarm call of IRENA, which states that not enough is being done to stay within the 1.5° Celsius limit(The incentive to install photovoltaics No. 3 (IRENA)). Who to believe? It would be important to understand why these two opinions differ!
