Renewables now make up 30% of global electricity generation
Renewable energy, sourced from replenishable natural resources like sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat, is pivotal in electricity generation, heating, cooling, and transportation. It offers off-grid solutions for remote areas, produces minimal greenhouse gases, and enhances energy security due to its wide geographical distribution. As global efforts to mitigate climate change intensify, the shift to low-carbon energy, led by renewables, is accelerating. Technologies such as solar PV and wind are becoming cost-competitive with fossil fuels. Increasing the renewable share in energy systems involves electrifying heating and transport sectors, using biofuels, and deploying solar water heating, biomass burners, and geothermal heating. Achieving climate goals requires rapid renewable energy deployment across all sectors, supported by favourable policies and market conditions.
You can find further information below about the technologies, costs and current developments within each of the seven major types of renewables:
Learn more about renewables by reading our Energy Insights.
For the latest news and articles on renewable energy read New Energy World.
View our dedicated Collections on Hydrogen and Offshore Wind.
0.0 GW
of solar energy capacity was added in 2023 worldwide (Statistical Review of World Energy)
0million
jobs in the renewable energy sector in 2023 (IRENA)
0%
share of total primary energy consumption worldwide was from renewables in 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
0million
households in the UK (or equivalent) were powered by wind energy in 2023 (RenewableUK)
What's new?
Egypt’s largest wind energy project secures African bank funding while Namibia unveils new local content policy
11/12/2024
Total costs for the Suez Wind project are put at $1.1bn. The AfDB’s financing is in addition to funding expected from a consortium of development fina...
Global wind workforce requires major expansion to meet 2028 targets
11/12/2024
In 2023, global new wind power installations surpassed the 100 GW milestone for the first time, including 105.6 GW of onshore wind and 10.8 GW of offs...
World’s largest CO2-based seawater heat pump starts operations
11/12/2024
Operated by DIN Forsyning, the new heat pump plant will supply approximately 280,000 MWh/y of climate-neutral heat to the district heating networks of...
EDF and Centrica throw in six more years of nuclear power with UK AGR life extensions
11/12/2024
The Heysham 2 (Lancashire) and Torness (East Lothian) nuclear power plants will now keep producing zero-carbon electricity for an additional two years...
Israeli wave energy innovator sees first project inaugurated, as company looks overseas to US and Taiwan
4/12/2024
‘The launch of Israel's first wave energy power plant is more than just a technological achievement – it's a powerful statement about the future we en...
Events and training
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - April 2025
31/3/2025 - 4/4/2025
About:This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping p...
Level 3: Advanced Energy Manager
28/9/2025 - 23/12/2025
This 9-day course is an advanced qualification aiming to support experienced energy managers to further advance their careers by gaining the skills an...
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - October 2025
6/10/2025 - 10/10/2025
About:This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping p...
Maintenance Strategy Fundamentals - October 2025
17/10/2025 - 20/10/2025
In this 2 half-day training course on the 17 & 20 of October 2025, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding to develop an efficie...
Technical guidance publications
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