KATHMANDU: According to a report published by Ember, a London-based think tank, 2023 marked a record-breaking year for renewable energy sources, with clean energy accounting for 30% of electricity production worldwide. Solar and wind energy saw significant growth, contributing to this milestone as the number of solar and wind farms continued to expand rapidly.
Hydroelectric dams remained the largest source of clean energy last year, although droughts in several regions, including India, China, North America, and Mexico, led to a five-year low in hydropower production. This decline underscores the impact of climate change on energy generation, as droughts become more frequent and severe.
The increased demand for electricity in 2023, driven partly by the adoption of heat pumps, electric vehicles, and electrolyzers for hydrogen production, reflects a growing emphasis on sustainable technologies. Solar energy emerged as the dominant source of new clean energy, outpacing coal power by more than double and maintaining its status as the fastest-growing electricity generation source for the 19th consecutive year.
China led the way in renewable energy expansion, accounting for a significant portion of new solar and wind power globally. However, the country also remained heavily reliant on coal for electricity generation, highlighting the ongoing challenge of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Despite the growth in clean energy, fossil fuels still dominated global electricity generation, resulting in a 1% increase in power sector emissions.
The report emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy to mitigate climate change effectively. While clean energy generation is projected to continue growing, analysts warn that global electricity consumption is also expected to rise in 2024. Nonetheless, increased adoption of renewable energy sources could lead to a significant reduction in fossil fuel-generated electricity, signaling progress towards a more sustainable energy future.
.jpeg)
