Renewables Use By Top Emitters Will More Than Double By 2030
The World Resources Institute released a couple of positive international findings today for renewable energy in its Assessing the Post-2020 Clean Energy Landscape report. Breaking down the 127 INDCs submitted to the United Nations by late October, the think tank discovered:
- 80% reference clean energy;
- 53% mention clean energy targets; and
- 27% put forward clean energy actions.
Looking at data on renewables use from the International Energy Agency and other published sources, WRI authors analyzed the numbers from eight of the top 10 emitting countries—Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States, which collectively consume over 65% of the world’s primary energy. These include data from the Clean Energy Plans for Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States, which are provided in the text in a summary table.
They found that based on current commitments, the total annual clean energy supply in these eight major consuming nations will more than double by 2030. In terawatt-hours per year (TWh/year), the amount will rise from approximately 8,900 TWh/year (2012) to 19,900 TWh/year (2030), if their existing climate plans are fully achieved.
This increase is equivalent to all of India’s current energy demand, say analysts Thomas Damassa and Katherine Ross. International observers are hoping the estimates will even go higher at or after the Paris summit. Access the analysis here.
These renewable energy levels will measure nearly 20% higher in 2030 than target projections previously made. Here are the details:
- Brazil will achieve 45% of renewables in its energy mix by 2030;
- China will increase the share of non-fossil fuel in primary energy consumption to around 20% by 2030;
- European Union will achieve at least a 27% share of renewable energy consumption by 2030;
- India will achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel energy resources by 2030 (with international assistance);
- Indonesia will achieve at least 23% of its energy supply coming from new and renewable energy by 2025;
- Japan will increase its share of renewables in total electricity generation to approximately 22 to 24% by 2030;
- Mexico will increase clean energy sources in the national electricity generation mix to 35% by 2024; and
- United States will increase the U.S. share of renewables – beyond hydropower – in the electricity generation mix to 20% by 2030.
Five of the countries—Brazil, India, Japan, Mexico, and the United States—are also set to increase total renewable capacity levels by nearly four times by 2030 (from 246 GW in 2012 to 856 GW in 2030). The other two top 10 polluters, Canada and Russia, have not announced any post-2020 renewable energy targets.
Note that some of the non-fossil expansion in China, India, and Mexico will be in nuclear energy.
Says Jennifer Morgan, Global Director of the World Resources Institute Climate Program:
“These new renewable energy targets send strong signals to energy markets and investment circles. Combined with the Paris climate agreement, it’s clear that renewable energy is poised to surge forward in the next 15 years bringing clean and affordable power to millions of people worldwide.”
The renewables use results are also important because increasing clean energy will help solve problems associated with climate change: GHG emissions, energy security, economic growth, and energy access to the 1.3 billion people who still live without electricity.
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