Renewables could make up more than one-third of global energy consumption by 2030: IRENA

The energy sector in many countries is experiencing significant changes. Among them are the growing maturity of the renewable energy market, advances in technology and policy refinements. Together these changes provide an opportunity to develop an energy system that underpins sustainable development objectives.

Progress has been encouraging, according to IRENA in the third edition of its flagship report “REthinking Energy”. Renewable energy is gaining ground in nearly every measure and is now the first choice option for expanding, upgrading and modernising power systems around the world.

Presently the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption is 18.3 percent and, based on IRENA’s estimates, will rise to 21 percent by 2030 if all current national plans and policies are fully implemented. This could double to 36 percent by 2030 if a far more ambitious pursuit of­ all­ available­ renewable­ energy­ options­ and­ of­ energy­ efficiency is taken.

The benefits are manifold. Accelerating­ the­ deployment­ of­ renewable­ energy­ will­ fuel­ economic­ growth,­ create­ new­ employment­ opportunities, enhance­ human­ welfare ­and ­contribute ­to ­a ­climate-safe ­future.

As the energy transformation quickens its pace, broader and deeper decarbonisation efforts are required. In “REthinking Energy” IRENA lays out how an enabling environment to advance the growth of renewables can be achieved, focusing on the key dimensions of: (i) policy, (ii) finance and investment, (iii) technology and (iv) energy access.

By: International Renewable Energy Agency