Renewables have risen phenomenally in 2020, but is it enough?

Renewable energy, primarily solar and wind is progressively replacing coal according to the latest report by Ember, a climate focused think tank.

As the world surrendered to the tightening grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, enterprises closed down and commercial productions were halted. This resulted in a substantial decline in energy demand and as a result, global electricity production fell modestly in 2020. But during the same period renewable energy like solar and wind continue to grow steadily.

In the last few years, the world has seen a steady rise in the renewables. The share of wind and solar power has doubled in total global electricity since 2015. In fact, renewable energy is catching up fast with nuclear energy, currently accounting for nearly one-tenth of the global power mix. According to Ember’s report, the global solar and wind energy production has increased by 19% and 11% respectively.

EU countries are leading the renewable energy sector globally, where 21% of the total electricity mix comes from solar and wind power sources. Russia, China, Us and India are the other top countries increasing generation of wind and solar power progressively.

Acceleration of renewable energy production in Russia is exceptional for the given period with 55% rise in solar energy and a stunning 236% increase in wind energy. Russia has also reduced its coal-based energy production by 13%, setting an example for the world to follow.

Renewable energy in China, India and US is progressing steadily, however, these countries are also the world’s top three carbon polluters. While solar and wind power account for about one-tenth of the total power of China and India, China is also responsible for over 50% of the global coal-based power generation.

China has increased its solar and wind power generation by 15% and 11% but reduced its coal power generation by just 2%. US has done much better with 23% and 14% increase in solar and wind power generation respectively, along with reducing coal power generation by 10%. India is the only country among these nations to have increased its coal power generation by 3%, although its solar power generation grew substantially by 30%.

As evident from the data, renewable energy generation is rising phenomenally worldwide. In the aftermath of Covid-19, sustainability has regained a sharp focus and globally people are working towards cutting down fossil fuel generation to combat the climate change crisis. But what is being done is not enough. The figures are encouraging but we have a long way ahead in order to meet the goals set in the 2015 Paris agreement.

To meet the goal of limiting earth’s temperature rise by 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, global coal power generation needs to decrease by 13% annually till 2030. Ember’s senior electricity analyst, Dave Jones said in a statement

“The fact that, during a global pandemic, coal generation has still only fallen by 8% shows just how far off-track we still are… we have the solution, it’s working, it’s just not happening fast enough.”

While Jones’ view presents an extreme thought, one can counter-argue that once the world further accelerates generation of renewables, the adoption will be widespread and because of its resilient and sustainable nature, its demand will surge exponentially. To meet that demand, the growth of renewables will surpass all previous records and pave the way to meet the climate targets.