Wind and solar generated 10% of global electricity

For the first time, wind and solar generated more than 10% of electricity globally in 2021, according to the Global Electricity Review 2022 by Ember, the energy think tank.

• Fifty countries have now crossed the 10% wind and solar landmark, with seven new countries added in 2021.
• But power from coal also rose 9% in 2021, to a new record high.
• The World Economic Forum says “decoupling” from fossil fuels is more important than ever.

A separate report earlier this year, Energy Transition Investment Trends 2022, found global investment in low-carbon energy hit a new record of $755 billion in 2021, up by 27% on the year before. At the same time, the world’s 60 biggest banks provided almost the same amount to fossil fuel companies in 2021 – $742 billion – according to data from environmental organization the Rainforest Action Network.

The energy team at the World Economic Forum says “decoupling” from fossil fuels is more important than ever, especially with heightened risks over the security of world energy supplies.

Ready more from the World Economic Forum and access the Ember Report.

Wind and solar generated 10% of global electricity in 2021 – a world first

Fifty countries have now crossed the 10% wind and solar landmark, according to a new report. Here’s what this milestone means for the renewables transition.