These 4 charts show the world just passed a major clean energy milestone

The world achieved a clean energy milestone in renewable electricity production last year. Wind and solar power contributed to a record-breaking 30% of global electricity generation, according to a report by a climate think tank. The report predicts a decrease in global fossil fuel generation in the coming years, leading to a significant shift towards renewable energy. The increasing adoption of solar power has exceeded expectations, and the renewable energy sector is growing faster than anticipated. The data also shows a decline in fossil fuel use and a record low in carbon intensity in the electricity sector. Furthermore, the rise of renewables has slowed the growth of fossil fuels over the past decade. Solar energy has been the fastest-growing source of electricity for 19 consecutive years. Despite the dominance of coal and gas in global electricity generation, the growth rate of wind and solar surpassed them last year. Droughts in countries like China and India led to a decline in hydropower output, which was compensated for by coal. China leads in solar generation, but its solar power’s contribution to the national electricity mix is relatively low. The report indicates that solar energy accounts for over 10% of electricity generation in several countries, including Chile, Australia, the Netherlands, and California. Global electricity demand reached a record high in 2023, driven primarily by China, while the United States and the European Union saw declines in demand. However, the report suggests that demand will soar in the coming years due to the adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and green hydrogen technologies. Despite the progress made in renewable energy, the pace of the transition remains critical in achieving global climate goals.