In 2023, the world recorded a historic level of increasing renewable energy by 50% compared to 2022, as mentioned. International Energy Agency Which expects an unprecedented pace in the coming years, although it is insufficient in the face of the challenge Global Warming.
The agency said in a report published today, Thursday, that about 507 gigawatts of renewable electricity were put into service, that is, a 50% increase from what was the case in 2022.
The head of this body, Fatih Birol, stressed in press statements that it is a “huge and historic leap” equivalent to the current equipment of Germany, France, and Spain combined. It is estimated that 75% of these new installations are in the field of solar photovoltaic energy.
China was again the main driver of this growth (60% of new infrastructure with over 66% of wind turbines over one year for example).
but European Union The United States and Brazil also reached unprecedented levels, and India achieved great progress, while the agency indicated a jump in Southeast Asia, as well as in the Middle East.
The agency expects the next five years to witness the “strongest growth” ever in 30 years.
She stresses that “the capacity of renewable electricity generation has not expanded at this speed at all in decades, which constitutes a real opportunity to achieve the goal set by governments at the conference.” United nations on climate change (COP28), which aims to triple global capacity by 2030.
But the agency believes that this pace is not yet sufficient, pointing to the need for funding for emerging and developing countries.
Support developing countries
Birol pointed out that onshore wind energy and photovoltaic energy are cheaper today than power plants Fossil fuels.
Last year witnessed a clear decline in the prices of photovoltaic modules by approximately 50% within one year, and this movement is expected to continue with the noticeable increase in manufacturing capabilities, according to the agency that established it. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) About 50 years ago to confront the oil shock.
The goal of tripling renewable energy sources is on the global level, with needs varying from one country to another.
On the part of rich countries and large emerging countries, the International Energy Agency stresses the need to put an end to hesitation in national policies and invest in modernizing and adapting networks to reduce delays and administrative complexities.
For other countries, access to financing and establishing strong regulatory frameworks will be crucial, the report said, along with setting targets for renewable energy construction that are still absent in some countries.
Fatih Birol stressed that “the signing of the COP28 agreement by more than 200 countries is a good thing,” explaining, “We believe that they signed it because they take it seriously.”
He added, “But we believe in numbers, so the International Energy Agency will follow the progress achieved (…), and we will inform the public about it.”
