Record-Breaking 2022: Renewables Hit 12% of Global Power Generation with Clean Energy Surging
In 2022, renewable energy reached an unprecedented 12% share of global electricity generation, marking a pivotal milestone in the global shift towards sustainable power and indicating a possible peak in fossil fuel emissions.
Wind and solar power achieved a combined 12% share of worldwide electricity generation in 2022, setting a new global record.
Last year marked a historic breakthrough for renewable energy, as its contribution to global electricity generation soared to an all-time high of 12%. This milestone highlights significant strides in the clean energy transition, with fossil fuel emissions potentially having peaked.
According to Ember, a leading energy think tank, their annual global electricity demand report—covering data from 78 countries representing 93% of global demand—reveals this remarkable growth in wind and solar power.
Simultaneously, the carbon intensity of the global power grid dropped to a historic low, underscoring the effectiveness of decarbonization efforts. All clean energy sources combined—including renewables and nuclear power—now contribute a record 39% of electricity generation worldwide.
Wind power generation surged by 17% compared to the previous year, enough to supply nearly the entire electricity demand of the UK, while solar power output increased by an impressive 24%, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing electricity source globally for the 18th consecutive year. Meanwhile, coal generation edged up by a modest 1.1%, and natural gas output declined by 0.2%. Notably, clean energy growth is projected to outpace electricity demand growth in 2023, a milestone not seen since global recessions.
Experts suggest that 2022 may represent the peak year for fossil fuel emissions, with forecasts predicting a gradual decline starting this year and accelerating in the coming years.
"The year 2022 will be remembered as a turning point in the global shift to clean power," the report states, "as geopolitical events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted governments to reevaluate energy strategies amid soaring fossil fuel prices and concerns over energy security."
Malgorzata Wiatros Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember, emphasizes, "We are entering the era of clean power, which will fundamentally transform the global economy—from transportation to industry and beyond. However, the pace of this transformation depends critically on the decisions and actions taken today by governments, businesses, and citizens to ensure a clean power future by 2040."
Renewable Energy Progress in the United States
In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in August 2022 includes measures to strengthen nuclear energy by extending the lifespan of existing plants, developing supply chains for new reactors, and promoting research into small modular reactors (SMRs) capable of delivering substantial low-carbon electricity.
Despite these advances, fossil fuels still accounted for approximately 60% of U.S. electricity generation in 2022, with nuclear energy contributing 18%, and wind and solar combined making up 15%.
Wind energy continues to be one of the fastest-growing renewable sectors in the U.S., with 141.3 gigawatts of installed capacity as of January 2023 and plans to add another 7.1 gigawatts this year.
Offshore wind projects, such as Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts, have secured regulatory approvals, bringing the total number of approved projects to 15. Leading U.S. wind developers like NextEra Energy and Invenergy operate wind farms generating thousands of megawatts annually, with additional projects in the pipeline.
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