UK-based climate and energy think tank Ember recently released a report, revealing that wind and solar energy account for 12% of global electricity in 2022, up 10% year-on-year. The report also shows that emissions from the energy sector have reached their peak.
The report analyzed electricity data from 78 countries in 2022, 93% of global electricity demand. Ember believes that it provides first-hand information and in-depth analysis on the global power transformation in 2022. By 2023, wind and solar energy will drive the world into a new era, and fossil fuel power generation will decline, thereby reducing emissions in the power sector.
The main author of the report, magorzata Wiatros-Motyka, stated that in this decisive decade for climate, this is the beginning of the end of the fossil age.
Solar energy was the fastest-growing source of electricity for the 18th consecutive year, up 24%, enough electricity to supply the entire South Africa. Wind power generation grew by 17% in 2022, enough to supply almost the entire UK.
Currently, more than 10% of electricity in over 60 countries currently comes from wind and solar energy. All clean sources of electricity, including nuclear energy, account for 39% of global electricity, setting a new historical record.
In 2022, the growth of wind and solar power generation met 80% of the global electricity demand growth. Natural gas power generation slightly decreased.
To achieve net zero for the entire economy by 2050, the power sector needs to shift from the sector with the highest emissions to the first to reach net zero by 2040, meaning by 2030, wind and solar energy will account for 41% of global electricity, compared to 12% in 2022.
