The global energy landscape is undergoing a monumental shift, as evidenced by a groundbreaking new analysis from the clean energy think tank Ember. In a landmark achievement, the world surpasses 40% clean electricity generation in the past year, marking a record not seen since the 1940s. This significant milestone underscores the rapid advancements and increasing adoption of low-carbon energy sources in the face of escalating electricity demand driven by factors like heatwaves, the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the energy-intensive operations of data centers.
While hydropower once dominated the clean energy sector decades ago, the current surge is spearheaded by the remarkable growth of solar power. Globally, solar generation has now reached a scale capable of powering the entirety of India, a testament to its scalability and decreasing costs. This surge positions Europe, with its proactive clean energy policies and substantial investments, as a true “solar superpower.”
Despite this encouraging progress in clean energy generation, power sector emissions reached a concerning all-time high of 14.6 billion tonnes of CO2 last year. This increase was primarily attributed to the heightened demand for cooling technologies during the record-breaking heatwaves of 2024, highlighting the critical urgency of accelerating the global energy transition.
Europe: A Beacon of Clean Energy Leadership
The European Union (EU) stands out as a global leader in the adoption of clean energy, having generated an impressive 71% of its electricity from clean sources in 2024, including nuclear power. Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, Senior Analyst at Ember, emphasizes Europe’s pivotal role, stating, “Europe has cemented a global leadership in clean power. Furthermore, it is showing the world how to have an increasing share of renewables in the mix,” with nearly half (47%) originating from solar, wind, and hydro.
The growth of solar energy within the EU has been particularly remarkable, nearly doubling in the three years leading up to 2024 and now accounting for 11% of the total electricity generation, surpassing coal for the first time. Seven EU member states are among the top 15 countries globally with the highest shares of solar generation, solidifying the EU’s status as a “solar superpower.”
National Success Stories in Solar Deployment
While China leads in absolute solar generation with 834 TWh, individual European nations showcase impressive achievements. Germany generated a substantial 71 TWh of solar energy last year, ranking sixth globally. Hungary boasts the world’s highest share of solar in its electricity mix at 25%, a success attributed to a previously generous incentive scheme for residential solar installations. Spain recorded the largest increase in solar generation in Europe last year, with a 10 TWh surge.
Dr. Petrovich highlights the widespread adoption of solar across the continent, stating, “solar is not one country’s story. Widespread growth really says something about how flexible this technology is, how scalable this technology is. There is a kind of a solar story in every country now.” Even with less favorable weather conditions compared to the previous year, the increase in solar panel installations, including rooftop systems, has driven higher electricity generation. The growth of solar capacity in the EU shows no signs of slowing down despite its already high penetration rate.
The Next Level: Integrating Renewables and Enhancing Grid Flexibility
Looking ahead, Dr. Petrovich emphasizes the need for Europe to demonstrate how to elevate clean power to the next level. This involves increasing the share of solar and wind energy in the mix and developing the flexibility to maximize their utilization. A portfolio of solutions is crucial, including advanced battery storage, the smart electrification of transport, buildings, and industry, and a significantly enhanced grid capable of efficiently shifting electricity across regions.
“We have the world’s largest grid. Now we need to make it smarter,” asserts Dr. Petrovich, emphasizing the importance of removing existing barriers. Implementing solutions that incentivize consumers to shift their electricity consumption to times when renewable energy is abundant, such as price incentives for charging electric vehicles during the day, can also play a significant role.
Learning from California: A Glimpse into the Future
The necessary technologies for this transition already exist. California offers a compelling blueprint, where the combination of solar power and battery storage met a fifth of the state’s peak evening electricity demand last year, a significant increase from just two percent three years prior. Dr. Petrovich suggests that “‘Maybe California offers a sneak preview of what we are going to see in Europe in three years’ time,” particularly for key European markets like Ireland that are investing in large-scale battery technology.
Navigating Future Uncertainties and Rising Demand
The energy landscape of 2025 and beyond holds numerous uncertainties. Emerging technologies such as AI, data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps are already contributing to a rise in global electricity demand. While the future energy consumption of AI and data centers remains somewhat “unknown,” Ember anticipates that the growth rate of clean power will be sufficient to meet this increasing demand.
While heatwaves were a primary driver of the small increase in fossil fuel power last year and are expected to become more frequent with the deepening climate crisis, Dr. Petrovich emphasizes that this does not necessitate a fallback on fossil fuels. “Every country is in a position to match increased demand with clean electricity,” she states, highlighting the importance of efficient cooling appliances.
Energy Security and the Role of Renewables
Europe’s experience following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a “hard lesson” in energy security, leading to an accelerated adoption of renewable energy sources. “Now the situation is more tense with Russia, I think those concerns about security are really more material than they used to be and renewables are seen as this defence strategy,” explains Dr. Petrovich.
Central-Eastern European countries are identified as key regions to watch for future growth in solar and battery deployment. Dr. Petrovich also expresses optimism for the wind energy sector in the coming year, anticipating accelerated growth due to faster permitting processes and potentially more favorable weather conditions, building on the 18% of EU electricity generated by wind power last year.
In conclusion, the milestone of the world surpassing 40% clean electricity marks a significant step forward in the global energy transition. With Europe firmly establishing itself as a “solar superpower” and driving innovation in renewable energy integration and grid modernization, the path towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future is becoming increasingly clear. The continued growth of solar and wind power, coupled with advancements in energy storage and smart grid technologies, offers a promising outlook for meeting rising electricity demands while mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing energy security worldwide.
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