The wind and solar sectors across the world reached a record 12% of global electricity in 2022, with US contributions hitting 15%, as per the report published by Ember, an energy think tank.
The US, meanwhile, also witnessed the world’s largest total surge when it comes to the generation of gas last year, although the category dipped slightly in the rest of the world, the review from the fourth annual Global Electricity of Ember found. The report gives out electricity data from last year involving 78 nations, which go on to represent 93% of the worldwide electricity demand.
The report ascertained that more than 60 countries at present generate above 10% of their electricity from wind as well as solar. Across the United States, the share of wind and solar energy in total electricity generation rose from 13% in 2021 to 15% in 2022.
Apparently, solar happened to be the fastest-growing worldwide electricity source for the eighteenth consecutive year, increasing by 24% year-over-year and also adding enough electricity that could power South Africa.
It is well to note that wind generation saw an increase of 17% in 2022 across the world, which could power almost the entire UK. In a way, the US matched the global growth as the wind generation there grew by 15% and solar power saw an increase of 25% in the same period. Significantly, the US went through a similar growth when it came to solar generation as China’s, which stood at +28%, as well as the EU’s, which hit +24% last year.
In contrast, US wind power saw faster growth than the EU with +8.9%, although it was slower than China’s at +26%. The growth of wind and solar generation last year had an impressive 80% increase in worldwide demand for electricity, as well as 68% of the increase in US demand. The supply of clean power is indeed getting supercharged by way of the inflation reduction act and bipartisan infrastructure law, as per Dave Jones, who happens to be head of data insights for Ember.
He adds that, however, the US still goes on to generate 60% of its electricity by way of fossil fuels, and hence there is a critical need for more clean power. Coal power, as per him, is rapidly falling already and it is expected that the US will witness gas power falling rapidly as well. The fact is that the US target of 100% clean power by 2035 is undoubtedly well within reach.