Wind, solar share in power generation topped 8% in 2019 - Ember

Wind and solar farms accounted for 8.2% of global electricity generation in 2019, according to research by independent climate think-tank Ember.

Back in 2013 that share has been just 3.4%.

The EU has achieved a wind and solar share of 18%, more than double the global average. Denmark is the leader here with 55% solar and wind power last year. Ireland (30%), Germany (29%) and Portugal (27%) have also greened their electricity significantly.

Ember’s calculations put the wind and solar share in power generation in China (9%), India (8%) and the US (10%) at or above the global level.

“Ember’s research shows that the growth in wind and solar is reflected by a collapse in coal, with its market share down from 40% to 35% in just six years.” The COVID-19 crisis has further accelerated the decline of coal as the demand drop caused by the measures to limit the spread of the virus hit coal-fired power plants the most.

“As governments around the world design their COVID-19 stimulus packages, Europe is demonstrating how to thrive on electricity grids powered by a majority of wind and solar - these technologies are the future. As importantly, countries need to make sure no new money goes into either coal or gas-fired generation to speed up the transition from coal to clean electricity,” said Dave Jones, senior coal-to-clean analyst at Ember.

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