A few months ago, REN21 ( Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st century ) published the 2017 edition of the global status report on renewable energy in the world ( Renewables 2017 Global Status Report ).
REN21 brings together different governments, NGOs, universities and international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Energy Agency, the United Nations, among other institutions, in order to promote the expansion of renewable energies globally.
Renewable energies in the world report
The report highlights that 2016 saw a new record for global renewable electricity installations , with a total of 161 gigawatts installed. Countries like China and India spearheaded this energy transition, reflecting a global acceleration in the adoption of renewable technologies, particularly in developing regions.
This growth represents an increase of almost 9% compared to 2015, reaching a total of 2.017 gigawatts of renewable electricity capacity worldwide. China and India have been the leading producers in the installation of solar photovoltaic and wind power, respectively.
Among the various renewable technologies, solar photovoltaic energy stood out, representing approximately 47% of the total installed power, followed by wind energy, with 34% , and hydropower, with just over 15%.
The future to come
The REN21 report also highlights key milestones for the future of renewable energy, emphasizing the progress in developing more sustainable and cleaner infrastructure. In countries like Denmark, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, renewable electricity tariffs as low as $0,1/kWh have been achieved , representing costs lower than most conventional, non-renewable installations. In these cases, the projects have not received any subsidies or premiums, demonstrating the economic potential of renewables in the future of energy.
Record in Dubai for a solar thermal plant
Another relevant fact is the record set in Dubai with the tender for the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park , where the lowest bid reached 9,45 cents of a dollar ($) per kWh, an unprecedented cost for concentrated solar power technology.
This tender refers to a tower-based power plant that will allow energy to be stored for up to 12 hours and electricity to be supplied at night, which is crucial to ensure grid stability and optimize the use of renewable energy.
In Spain, the situation is different due to cuts in support policies for renewables, especially solar thermal power plants. However, the demands of the European Union are expected to boost interest in solar thermal energy in the country, which has already proven to be competitive in other regions.
Pioneering States and Global Energy Transition
The report also highlights several initiatives demonstrating how some countries are leading the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix. Examples like Denmark and Costa Rica show that it is possible to generate 100% of a nation's electricity from renewable sources. These countries have demonstrated that clean energy is not only viable but also an economical alternative to coal and other fossil fuels.
Another key aspect is the rapid growth of energy projects involving storage. In fact, 800 megawatts of new energy storage capacity were installed in 2016, reaching a total of 6,4 gigawatts.
The role of transport
The energy transition is not limited to electricity production, but also affects transport, a sector that remains dependent on fossil fuels. Although renewable energies have made rapid progress in electricity supply, transport and fossil fuel consumption remain a challenge to overcome.
Electric mobility is key to this transformation. Many countries have already imposed stricter emissions regulations, and it is expected that by 2040, half of all car sales worldwide will be electric vehicles, driving a growing demand for electricity generated from clean sources.
Caring for the environment
The use of renewable energy is not only driven by economic reasons, but also by a global commitment to the environment. The Paris Agreement is key to limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius , and this goal will only be achievable if the use of polluting energy sources is reduced.
To meet this commitment, it is essential to accelerate the growth of renewables. In 2020, for the first time, the total installed renewable energy exceeded conventional sources, marking a turning point in the fight against climate change.
In addition, the development of infrastructure such as distribution networks, information systems and energy storage will be essential to ensure that the use of clean energy is efficient and widely available.
As countries continue to advance their energy transition, renewable energy will not only contribute to climate change mitigation, but will also offer significant social and economic benefits by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and generating employment in emerging sectors of the economy.