Good news for the planet! Energy production is becoming greener. Last example: in 2023, wind and solar power will surpass oil.
Energy production is going green
In 2023, the energy sector is undergoing a major shift. For the first time, solar and wind power will generate a larger share of new energy than oil. According to data from the Energy Institute, analyzed by Carbon Brief, these two renewable sources produce 40% of new energy, surpassing the 39% of oilThis is a significant fact that highlights the growth of renewable energies in the global energy mix.
To put it in context, global energy production is growing by 2% compared to 2022. Among this growth, solar and wind play a predominant role. Indeed, their share in global electricity supply reaches 13% in 2023, compared to only 3% in the early 2010s. In terms of numbers, the combined production of these energies has increased from 774 TWh in 2013 to nearly 4,000 TWh in 2023.
The persistent challenges of the energy transition
However, this progression of renewable energies does not mask the persistent challenges of the energy transition. Indeed, despite the increase in solar and wind production, 2023 also saw record consumption of fossil fuels. Moreover, global CO2 emissions continue to rise, meaning that clean energy is still not enough to meet the growth in global energy demand.
Moreover, many experts point out that the new data is not encouraging for the fight against climate change. Indeed, renewable energies are not yet able to replace fossil fuels in a significant way. It is crucial to note that the energy transition, although underway, remains insufficient in the face of global climate challenges.
