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1,419 GW of photovoltaics were thus reached, according to the 2024 Renewable Capacity Statistics published this Wednesday by IRENA, which set a new record in the deployment of renewable energies in the electricity sector with 473 GW deployed.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) published this Wednesday the 2024 Renewable Capacity Statistics in which they show that 2023 marked a new record in the deployment of renewable energies in the electricity sector by reaching a total capacity of 3,870 GW throughout the world. world. At 473 GW, renewables accounted for 86% of capacity additions.
Solar energy continues to dominate the expansion of renewable generation capacity with 73% of total growth. Photovoltaics increased by 345.5 GW, while solar thermal energy increased by 0.3 GW. China alone added 216.9 GW to the total expansion. Thus, 1,419 GW were reached worldwide, followed by wind energy, with 24% of the renewable expansion, which in 2023 has installed 116 GW.
For off-grid electricity, capacity in regions outside Europe, North America and Eurasia grew by 4.6% to 12.7 GW, dominated by solar, which reached 5 GW in 2023 .
Geographic differences
The 473 GW expansion of renewable energy was once again led by Asia, with a share of 69%. On the other hand, although Africa has experienced some growth, 4.6% specifically, it has only reached a total capacity of 62 GW.
Regarding photovoltaics, its growth in Asia was 237.7 GW in 2023 (compared to +110.7 GW in 2022). 91.2% of the expansion occurred in China (+216.9 GW) and India (+9.7 GW). Japan also added 4.0 GW, a slight decrease compared to 2022 values.
Outside Asia, the United States added 24.8 GW of solar capacity in 2023, Germany and Brazil added 14.3 GW and 11.9 GW respectively.
The G7 countries (excluding the EU) accounted for 25.3% of the global capacity share, with a total of 980 GW. The G20 countries (excluding the EU and AU) represent 79.7% of the global share, with a total capacity of 3,084 GW. The G7 and G20 countries respectively represent 14.7% and 87.2% of new capacity in 2023.
According to IRENA, in China, the growing competitiveness of solar and wind energy against coal and gas has become the main driver of renewable energy development. Meanwhile, in the EU, increased political attention and concern for energy security have been the main catalysts for rapid growth, apart from the increasing cost competitiveness of renewables against fossil fuel alternatives.
Far from the target
Despite the aforementioned record in renewable deployment, many countries are isolated from the benefits of energy transitions, as growth is unevenly distributed around the world, indicating a trend away from the goal of tripling renewable energy by 2030.
IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera said: “This extraordinary increase in renewable generation capacity demonstrates that renewable energy is the only technology available to rapidly scale up the energy transition in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. However, the data also serves as a telling sign that progress is not moving fast enough to add the 7.2 TW of renewable energy needed over the next seven years. Policy interventions and course correction are urgently needed on a global scale.”
To get closer to IRENAs 1.5°C scenario, the Agency recommends a massive increase in funding and strong international collaboration to accelerate the energy transition, as well as prioritizing developing countries. Investments are needed in electrical networks, generation, flexibility and storage. “The path to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 requires strengthening institutions, policies and competencies,” they conclude. |
