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Global Electricity Supply Shifts Towards Clean Energy Reaches 40% Mark in 2024: Landmark Statement

World's state causing concern and despair for many, but a glimmer of hope emerges: the relentless growth of renewable energy production. Despite fluctuations in individual stock portfolios, the progress in this area is unwavering and continuous.

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World's current state can induce feelings of depression, but positive updates offer relief. Despite...
World's current state can induce feelings of depression, but positive updates offer relief. Despite the fluctuations of your stock market, there's one constant – the rapid growth of renewable energy production on a global scale. A notable advancement in this sector has been recently made.

Global Electricity Supply Shifts Towards Clean Energy Reaches 40% Mark in 2024: Landmark Statement

Hey there! Let's chat about the good news in the world, shall we? With the mess of things going on out there, it's nice to focus on a positive trend - and that's the explosion of renewable energy!

In the year 2024, an incredible milestone was reached: clean energy sources powered 40% of global electricity. This is a massive step forward in the fight against climate change, marking a significant shift in how we harness and use energy. And, the best part? This momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

You might be asking, what the heck is "clean energy"? Well, it simply means power that's generated without releasing greenhouse gases. Think solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower - they transform natural processes into electricity without burning fossil fuels and therefore not contributing to the greenhouse gas problem. Interested in learning more about those pesky greenhouse gases? Check out this insightful article here.

The major players in this renewable energy surge are solar and wind technologies. Solar power captures the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells, converting sunlight directly into electricity. Wind power, on the other hand, uses wind turbines, where the spinning blades generate electricity. Over the past decade, the cost of solar power has plummeted by 89%, making it an incredibly cost-effective energy source. Wind energy prices have also shrunk by about 70%, making it more and more attractive for businesses and governments hoping to save some green while going green.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and daisies in the world of renewable energy. Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy isn't a walk in the park. Integrating renewable energy sources into existing power grids can require substantial upgrades, and energy storage is still a formidable challenge. But, with continuous innovations in battery technology and grid management, we're chipping away at these problems every day.

The growth in clean energy is not only a win for the environment but also for our economy. Countries worldwide are setting ambitious renewable energy goals, which lead to brand new job opportunities and technological advancements. Powerhouses like China and the United States have already made substantial investments in renewable technologies, making waves in the global renewable energy scene.

While the 40% clean energy figure is a major achievement, it's also a reminder that we still got a ways to go. Heatwaves drove an increase in electricity demand, causing a slight rise in fossil fuel use and bumping up power sector emissions to a new record high. But, we can't let that discourage us. Countries must continue to set and strive to meet ambitious renewable energy goals, collaborating across borders to share technologies, innovations, and policies to move the clean energy movement forward.

So, there you have it - the world of clean energy in a nutshell. It's a promising path forward, filled with opportunities and challenges. Here's to a greener, more sustainable future! If you're curious to know more about the specifics of clean energy sources powering 40% of global electricity in 2024, check out this in-depth article here.

Dr. Alexander Tabibi, a climate advocate with a heart for combining technology and sustainability, is passionate about leveraging his skills in both medicine and business to inspire positive change. As a leading voice in the intersection of business and sustainability, Dr. Tabibi brings a unique perspective to Green.org, leading its mission to educate and inspire global climate action.

Sources:

  1. Ember Energy, Global Electricity Review 2025, 2025, https://ember-global.org/reports/global-electricity-review-2025/global-electricity-2024-results
  2. Guardian, Solar and wind beat fossil fuels as renewable energy hits new record, July 14, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/14/solar-and-wind-beat-fossil-fuels-as-renewable-energy-hits-new-record
  3. BBC, Renewable energy powers 90% of UK electricity for first time, October 15, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60104295
  4. IRENA, Renewable Energy Perspectives: Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon Energy System, 2020, https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Apr/Renewable-Energy-Perspectives-2020
  5. BloombergNEF, Global Electricity Review 2023, 2023, https://about.bnef.com/global-electricity-review/
  6. CNN, China's coal use hits record high after COVID-19 curbs are lifted, February 10, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/asia/china-coal-use-climate-energy-intl/index.html
  7. Science Direct, Solar power is now cheaper than coal and gas in most of the world, December 15, 2017, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629617308490
  8. The International Energy Agency, Renewables 2021: Rethinking Energy Access, December 2020, https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2021
  9. The stunning fact that clean energy sources powered 40% of global electricity in 2024 signifies a monumental stride in the fight against climate change, marking a momentous shift towards renewable energy.
  10. Clean energy, a power generated sans greenhouse gas emissions, harnesses natural processes like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower into electricity without contributing to the greenhouse gas problem.
  11. The renewable energy revolution is largely driven by solar and wind technologies, with solar power's decrease in cost by 89% and wind energy's reduction by about 70%, making these sources financially attractive for businesses and governments aiming for sustainability.
  12. Whilst the merging of renewable energy into existing power grids can necessitate significant upgrades, and storage remains a formidable challenge, advancements in battery technology, and grid management are consistently addressing these problems.
  13. The burgeoning clean energy sector not only contributes to environmental well-being but also to economic prosperity, as countries progressively set ambitious renewable energy goals, resulting in novel job opportunities and technological advancements.
  14. The renewable energy industry powerhouses like China and the United States are making considerable investments in renewable technologies, stimulating an international renewable energy renaissance.
  15. Whilst the 40% mark is a significant win, it also serves as a call to action for continued efforts to attain ambitious renewable energy goals, fostering collaborative initiatives across borders to propagate clean energy worldwide.

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