By 2022, wind and solar power reached a record 12% of global electricity, while greenhouse gas emissions may have peaked. These are the results of Ember’s fourth annual Global Electricity Review, which analyzes data from 78 countries that account for 93% of global electricity demand. The report also includes estimates for the remaining energy production.
The report states that the carbon intensity in global electricity production has dropped to a record low of 436 gCO2/kWh in 2022, making electricity cleaner than ever before. This improvement is due to the increase in wind and solar energy, which rose to 12% in the global electricity mix from 10% in 2021. Overall, all clean energy sources (renewable and nuclear) account for 39% of global electricity, reaching a new record high.
Solar power generation increased by 24%, confirming its position as the fastest growing source of electricity for 18 consecutive years. Wind power production increased by 17%. An increase in global solar production in 2022 could meet South Africa’s annual electricity demand, while an increase in wind power could meet almost all of the UK’s demand. More than 60 countries now produce more than 10% of their electricity from wind and solar energy. However, other sources of clean energy declined for the first time since 2011, due to the decline in nuclear production and the decrease in the number of new nuclear and hydropower plants connected to the grid.
CO2 emissions from the electricity sector increased by 1.3% in 2022, reaching historic highs. Although electricity is cleaner than ever, its use has increased. Coal-fired electricity production increased by 1.1%, including the average increase in the last decade. The gradual elimination of coal energy agreed at COP26 in 2021 did not start in 2022, but the energy crisis has also not led to a significant increase in coal burning, as many have worried.
Electricity production from natural gas decreased slightly by 0.2% in 2022, for the second time in three years, due to high global prices. However, 2022 had the lowest number of closures of coal plants in seven years as countries try to maintain reserve capacity, even when the transition accelerates.
Since the 1980s, wind energy has gained increasing importance in electricity production in Europe. Since the initial installation of wind farms at the end of the 20th century, wind power has accounted for 17% of total electricity consumption in Europe in 2022.
According to Paweł Czyżak, senior energy and climate data analyst at Ember think tank, wind power is the most important technology for reducing CO2 emissions in Europe. In many countries, it is the cheapest and potentially largest source of domestic electricity, which can replace imported fossil fuels.
Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom have historically led the transition to wind energy and continue to be strong players.
According to data from the industrial group WindEurope, last year Denmark was ranked first with the highest percentage contribution of wind energy to energy consumption (55%). Ireland finished second (34%), while the UK finished third (28%) and Germany finished fourth (26%).
In terms of creating new projects, Germany remains a pioneer. Sweden and Finland outperform Germany in land wind farms, while the UK is by far the strongest market for offshore wind power.
One reason for the success of these countries is the existence of solid laws and clear targets for wind energy.
“The main lesson we can draw from countries like Denmark, Germany and the UK is the need for a clear and stable strategy and ambitious goals. Then, all other policies, spatial planning, licensing and network planning and others must be aligned in this direction,” Czyżak explained.
Along with politics, having a strong industrial presence can help boost the development of wind power, according to Po Wen Cheng, head of wind energy at the University of Stuttgart, told Euronews.
“Countries like Germany, Denmark and Spain have a strong manufacturing industry with many companies specializing in the production of wind turbines and related technologies. On the other hand, the Netherlands and Belgium have a strong offshore and maritime industry, which has led to the development of new technologies for off-shore wind energy,” he explains.
It also points out that innovation in floating wind turbine technology – wind turbochargers that are not attached to the bottom – has opened up new prospects for wind energy in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Greece.
