Renewables now make up almost 29% of global electricity generation
Renewable energy is derived from resources that are replenished on a human timescale; examples include sunlight, wind, rains, waves, tides, geothermal heat and biomass. Renewable energy is used in three main areas: electricity generation, air and water heating and cooling, and transportation. Renewables are also suited to provide off-grid energy solutions in rural and remote areas. The overall production and use of renewable energy usually produce minimal greenhouse gases and have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution compared to hydrocarbon alternatives. Deployment of renewable energy also has potential energy security benefits, with renewable resources spread over wide geographical areas.
In light of the current greenhouse gas-driven warming of the climate and the associated impacts, a global transition to low carbon energy is underway with renewable energy at the forefront. Related technologies are rapidly becoming more efficient and falling in costs; some renewable energy forms like solar PV and onshore wind that once depended heavily on government support are now at or approaching cost-parity with fossil fuel generation. Since most renewables produce electricity, increasing the share of renewable energy in the whole energy system can be achieved by electrifying the heat and transport sectors, in combination with increasing the proportion of electricity provided by renewables. Besides electrification, the transport sector can benefit from biofuels which can substitute for oil products. The heat sector can see further deployment of solar water heating, biomass-fuelled burners and direct geothermal heating. Renewable energy is expected to continue expanding its share in the energy mix, as costs come down, innovative technologies are commercialised, and environmental drivers strengthen. The EU has a target for 32% of all electricity to be generated from renewables by 2030. To meet these climate and sustainability goals, renewable energy deployment must accelerate in all sectors, enabled by policy and markets.
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 2021, leading to more solar capacity than wind capacity worldwide (IRENA)
0%
of new renewables capacity was seen in Asia in 2021 with a huge increase of 121 GW added in China (IRENA)
0%
of global renewable generation capacity came from hydropower in 2021 at 1360 GW, including pumped storage (IRENA)
0GW
of operational wind power capacity is available in the UK in 2022, powering the equivalent of around 18,000 homes (RenewableUK)
What's new?
England could produce 13 times more clean energy than at present, according to eco-researchers
17/04/2024
Onshore renewable energy is fast to build in the UK, taking as little as one year if planning and grid constraints are resolved, claim the environment...
Largest green hydrogen plant in Central Europe inaugurated, while plant set to become North America’s largest passes FEED stage
17/04/2024
The new technology is predicted to gradually replace the natural gas-based production process at the Danube refinery, which currently accounts for one...
Romania connects its largest battery storage system
17/04/2024
Installed at the 50 MW Mireasa Wind Park, in Constanța county, the storage unit has a capacity of 24 MWh (6 MW x 4 hours) and represents the first sta...
Latin America’s geothermal potential to be released with over $1bn investment in 2027
17/04/2024
A mere 2 GW is currently utilised out of a total potential of 33 GW, with the bulk of this utilisation coming from Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador....
Major Irish onshore wind joint venture unveiled
10/04/2024
Projects targeted for development include the proposed Lemanaghan wind farm in north-west Offaly, Littleton in Tipperary, and Garryhinch on the Laois/...
Events and training
Level 1: Certificate in Energy Management Essentials - April 2024
22/04/2024 - 26/04/2024
About:This introductory 5 day classroom course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of the fundamentals of energy management, equipping p...
Technical webinar: Latest publication of HM50
07/05/2024
Technical webinar: of HM50 - Guidelines For The Preparation Of Tanks And Lines For Marine Tank Vessels Carrying Petroleum And Refined ProductsUse...
Energy and Politics: Can We Work Together?
21/05/2024
Please note the timings of this event are still to be confirmed, and could be subject to change.In May, the EI YPN are organising an event unlike any ...
EI LIVE I Evaluating the energy balance and efficiency of a whole hydrogen energy system
29/05/2024
Webinar Title : Evaluating the energy balance and efficiency of a whole hydrogen energy system, from production to consumption."
Technical guidance publications
Human factors standards for facility design: Early design quick reference guide
2024
Human factors considerations (ergonomics, anthropometry, etc.) are key to good facility design; however, too often human factors is not considered ear...
Guidelines for the design, installation and management of small bore tubing assemblies
2024
This technical publication is a revised version of the 2nd edition of Guidelines for the design, installation and management of small bore tubing asse...
G+ Integrated Offshore Emergency Response (G+ IOER) Good practice guidelines for offshore renewable energy developments
2023
This publication is available to download for free.This document has been produced to share good practice within the offshore renewable energy industr...
Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation
2023
Solar photovoltaic (PV), which converts sunlight into electricity, is an important source of renewable energy in the 21st century. PV plant installati...
Research report: Assessing environmental impacts of energy storage technologies for grid scale applications
2023
This report is free to download for subscribers. Register or log in to download.Energy storage is a key element for effectively harnessing ...