2024-10-09 05:00:00
The International Energy Agency expects an increase in green electricity generation capacity, particularly in solar.
The energy transition may sometimes be questioned in some countries, particularly during elections, but green electricity is popular. And this should not stop, predicts the International Energy Agency (IEA). His report Renewables 2024released this Wednesday, predicts global growth «massive» of these energies by 2030 and “equivalent» to the current electricity production capacity of four of the major economies (United States, European Union, China and India).
To the point that in 2030 – in just five years – renewables could satisfy almost half of the world’s electricity demand, calculates the IEA. In six years, the share of solar energy should triple to represent 35% of total green energy, that of wind should double to 29% and that of hydroelectricity increase by 20% (to 29%). As a result, the world is expected to add more than 5,500 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity between 2024 and 2030, or three times more than between 2017 and 2023, the IEA predicts.
Photovoltaic energy will by far lead this new leap towards new “green” capabilities. It should account for a large part of the growth of renewables thanks to the construction of large power plants and the development of systems on the roofs of companies and homes. Easy to install and dismantle, overall less expensive than wind energy, solar panels far outperform their main competitor. This will not prevent wind energy, despite current difficulties (financial balance, etc.), from progressing twice as fast by 2030 compared to the period 2017-2023.
These two green resources have a significant advantage over other energy sources. “Solar and wind energy already represent the least expensive options for building new power plants in almost every country in the world. “, says Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA. These are therefore”economic reasons» that push governments to select them.
Beijing, which is relentlessly increasing its energy capacities, whether based on coal, nuclear or focusing on renewable energy, will once again be the champion of growth with nearly 60% of all renewable capacities installed worldwide by 2030 , the IEA expects. India starts from much further away but will show the fastest growth among the major economies.
«Almost 70 countries, which together represent 80 % of global renewable energy capacity, are on track to meet or exceed their 2030 ambitions“. This is slightly lower than the target set by almost 200 governments at the December 2023 climate change conference (COP28) in Dubai, which is to triple global renewable capacity this decade. But nothing is decidedgovernments can act in the short term», IEA estimates.
Lack of network
The agency, which depends on the OECD and is recognized as a point of reference in the energy sector, does not expect a revolution in renewable fuels. Sustainable biofuels, biogas, hydrogen and e-fuels are lagging behind. And, because these fuels remain more expensive than their fossil equivalents, “Their share of global energy is expected to remain below 6% in 2030“, he assures.
Authorities must also improve the electricity grid, warns the IEA. The share of renewable electricity produced but not used due to lack of connection is increasing in several countries, such as China, sometimes reaching 10%. The authorities must therefore make an effort to improve”flexibility of the electricity system” And “extend and modernize electricity networks and reach a storage capacity of 1 500 GW by 2030”, adds the agency.
#worlds #electricity #renewable #sources