Worldwide Usage Of Renewable Energy
Across the world countries are utilising renewable energy in 2024. From solar power to wind energy, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainable solutions.
As the world’s energy needs continue to rise, many countries are responding by increasing their installed capacity for renewably sourced energy, including geothermal energy, solar, wind, and hydropower.
Renewable Energy Surge in the UK – Q2 2024
In Quarter 2 of 2024, the UK achieved a new milestone in its journey towards sustainable energy. For the first time, renewable electricity production accounted for 51.6% of the nation’s total power generation.
This increase is largely attributed to the significant growth in solar and wind power capacity, combined with advancements in battery storage technology.
The demand for electricity generation from renewable sources in the UK is expected to keep rising as the country works towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels and meeting its net-zero carbon goals.
Countries Using The Most Renewable Energy In 2024
China
China remains the world’s top leader in installed capacity for renewable energy, primarily driven by its aggressive expansion in solar energy and wind power. This includes a capacity of around 1,453 gigawatts.
This effort is part of China’s broader strategy to tackle its severe air pollution and reduce carbon emissions from the industrial sector.
Norway
Norway is leading the way with 98.38% of its energy from wind, water or solar, according to the data compiled by Stanford University Professor Mark Jacobson.
The majority of Norway’s energy is derived from hydropower, which takes advantage of the country’s abundant natural resources of rivers and waterfalls.
Norway’s focus on wind, water, and solar energy has allowed it to generate nearly all of its electricity from renewable sources, cementing its position as a leader in clean energy initiatives.
Brazil
Brazil’s reliance on renewable energy continues to grow, with renewable energy consumption accounting for 89.2% of its total power generation.
Brazil’s energy matrix is dominated by hydropower, but wind and solar energy are expanding rapidly, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica holds the world record for the most consecutive days using solely renewable energy. With abundant resources for renewable energy, Costa Rica has established itself as a model for other countries aiming to move away from oil and gas.
Costa Rica has expanded its solar and wind power capacity in recent years, further diversifying its renewable energy mix.
Iceland
About 85% of the total primary energy supply in Iceland is derived from domestically produced renewable energy sources. This is the highest share of renewable energy in any national total energy budget.
Iceland taps into its rich geothermal energy reserves, thanks to its volcanic landscape, to generate both heat and electricity. Geothermal water is used to heat around 90% of Iceland’s homes.
The country’s reliance on geothermal and hydropower makes it one of the most renewable-focused nations, with the highest proportion of renewably sourced energy in its national energy budget.
What Are The Most Used Renewable Energy Sources?
As of 2024, the most widely used renewable energy sources globally are solar energy, wind power, hydropower, and geothermal energy. Each of these technologies plays a key role in the transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable forms of power generation.
Solar Energy
Solar power has seen exponential growth worldwide, especially in regions with high sunlight exposure. Advances in solar panel efficiency and decreasing costs have made it one of the fastest-growing renewably sourced options.
Wind Power
Offshore and onshore wind farms continue to expand in many countries. Wind energy has become a significant part of the global energy portfolio, especially in Europe, China, and the United States.
Hydropower
Still the largest contributor to global renewable electricity production, hydropower remains dominant in countries with abundant water resources.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal plants harness heat from beneath the Earth’s surface, which is used for both heating and electricity generation. It is especially popular in countries like Iceland, New Zealand, and the United States.
Renewable Energy Growth Predictions
Looking ahead, renewable energy consumption is expected to continue growing, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasting solar PV and wind additions to more than double by 2028 compared with 2022.
The rise in global electricity demand, coupled with international efforts to combat climate change, will drive further investments in renewables.
By 2030, many countries aim to source 60% or more of their total energy consumption from renewably sourced technologies. These predictions are based on growing concerns about the environmental and economic costs of relying on oil and gas.
Furthermore, advancements in battery storage, grid management, and electric vehicle technology will play a key role in enabling electricity generation from renewable sources to meet future energy needs.