Fossils continue to largely dominate the energy sector, despite the unprecedented increase in the production capacities of wind and solar.
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Record of new installed capacities, record for electricity production, investment record: on a global scale, the development of renewable energies has never been so rapid. The sign that the deep transformation of the energy sector is well engaged? No, responds to the International Network of Renewable Energies Ren21, which publishes, Wednesday, June 15, the 17th e edition of its annual report. Because, despite this unprecedented growth, notably wind and solar, the energy system continues to be largely dominated by fossil fuels, at levels almost similar to what they were ten years ago. “The energy transition does not take place”, regrets Ren21, which brings together members from the scientific, academic, industry, NGOs or governments.
The report on the global situation of renewable energies 2022, on which have worked more than 650 experts, draws up the inventory of the sector and formulates the severe observation of a failed opportunity. The promises of “green recovery” launched after two years of COVVI-19 pandemic did not materialize. Since then, an unprecedented crisis aggravated by the war waged by Russia in Ukraine has flambé prices of energy and raw materials. “While in 2021 the governments were more and more numerous to commit to reaching carbon neutrality, the reality is that, in response to the crisis, many countries are starting to develop new sources of fossil combustibles, and to burn more, “explains the executive director of Ren21, Rana Adib.
In parallel, energy demand continued to grow (+ 4 % in 2021), especially in emerging countries in Africa and Asia. However, a large part of these needs have been met by an increased recourse to coal and natural gas. The overall emissions of co 2 , the three -quarters of which are linked to the energy sector, thus jumped 6 % last year, adding 2 billion tonnes to the atmosphere. China has also become the first country to exceed a terawatt of installed capacities. According to the International Energy Agency (IAI), this strong growth is expected to continue in 2022: Beijing, for example, announced, in early June, wanting to double its solar and wind production by 2025.
Sobriety policies
If it is unprecedented, the rate of development of the renewables observed in 2021 remains largely insufficient to reach carbon neutrality in 2050: it would be necessary to go almost three times faster. “Even if we break records for the growth of renewables, we are not at all on the trajectory allowing to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement on the climate”, recall > Adib. It would also be necessary that this growth does not only concern the electricity sector, as is still largely the case today – renewables ensure approximately 28 % of the electric mix. In sectors as important as those of transport and heat, which represent 32 % and 51 % of final energy consumption respectively, the share of renewables is still marginal (3.7 % and 11.2 %).
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