Page 65 - Nigeriaone mag 2 edition en

Solar ahead of wind energy

Solar and wind, illustrative image

For the first in the race for renewables, Solar Other sources including bioenergy and geothermal
outruns wind energy. The race to develop accounted for 5% of the renewable market in 2021,
renewable energy capacity around the globe has a level that has remained steady for several years.
witnessed solar power overtaking wind for the first However, IRENA director general Francesco La
time. According to the International Renewable Camera warned that, despite the strong rate of
Energy Agency (IRENA), solar energy now accounts expansion, far more needs to be done if the world
for 28% of the world’s renewable electricity is to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
generation capacity, just ahead of wind with 27%. “Despite the encouraging global trend … the energy
This time last year, the two were evenly matched at transition is far from being fast or widespread
26% each. enough to avert the dire consequences of climate
Expert said that by the end of 2021 global change,” said La Camera.
renewable generation capacity amounted to 3,064 Asia is leading the way when it comes to expanding
gigawatts (GW), a 9.1% increase on the previous renewable capacity. Last year, 60% of all new
year. The 256.7GW of clean energy added to capacity was added there, with 155GW generated.
national grids last year accounted for 81% of all China alone accounted for 121GW of that,
the electricity generation capacity additions around including 53GW of solar energy and 6GW of
the world, a record level. bioenergy capacity. China also led the way with
Solar and wind energy are not the only renewable wind power capacity additions in 2021, with 47GW
electricity sources, but they are building a added. It was followed by the U.S. with 14GW.
dominant position in the market. IRENA Other countries that contributed significantly to
demonstrated that solar and wind were responsible solar power supply included the US with 19.6GW,
for 88% of all new renewable capacity in 2021. India (10.3GW), Brazil (5.2GW), Germany (4.7GW),
Solar energy grew by 19% last year, while wind Japan (4.4GW) and South Korea (3.6GW).
energy grew by 13%. Overall, Asia’s renewable energy capacity expanded
Hydropower still accounts for the largest share of by 11% in 2021. It was followed by North America
global renewable energy generation, with 1,230GW, with 9% growth and Europe with 6.4%.
but its position is progressively falling. As recently Yet other areas are lagging further behind, and
as 2018, hydropower was responsible for half of all actions are needed. IRENA said renewable energy
renewable energy output, but its share is now down capacity grew by just 3.9% in Africa and 3.3% in
to 40% and is expected to fall further in the coming Central America and the Caribbean.
years.

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