Renewables have gained 9.6% more capacity worldwide in 2022, record growth, but still far from the levels needed to curb global warming, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said on Tuesday. Last year, 83% of new power production capacity came from renewable sources.
Solar (mainly photovoltaic) and wind continue to account for the largest share, with 90% of new construction. However, Irena notes a slowdown in wind energy compared to the previous two years (+9% in production capacity, +22% for solar).
In total volume, hydroelectricity continues to be – with 1,250 gigawatts (GW) and 37% of the total – the first renewable energy, says this report “Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023”. Solar represents 31% of the total and wind represents 27%. Total production capacity, all renewable sources combined, amounted to 3,372 GW at the end of 2022.
“Triple, each year until 2030, new renewable capacities”
“This record and continued growth demonstrates the resilience of renewable energies” in a context of economic slowdown and energy crisis, commented the general director of Irena, Francesco La Camera. But “if we want to limit global warming to 1.5ºC compared to the pre-industrial era, we will have to triple the new renewable capacities every year until 2030”, he underlines.
“Knowing that energy demand is expected to increase in many parts of the world, the energy transition requires a radical strategic change, going beyond decarbonization on the supply side,” he advocates.
Asia is the geographic area that experienced the highest growth in renewable installations last year. China was the main contributor, with 141 GW of new capacity, more than half of the world total (295 GW of new installations). Europe and North America gained 57.3 GW and 29.1 GW respectively. In Africa, the increase is limited to 2.7 GW. The Middle East saw the commissioning of 3.2 GW, an unprecedented growth (+12.8%).
Source: BFM TV
