EVALUATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GROWTH AND ITS ROLE IN CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

Abstract

Energy systems around the world have developed with an increasing sense of urgency to consider climate change and a continued reliance on fossil fuels. This article analyzed how primary-energy production and consumption shifted over time from 1980 to 2021, by country and region, focusing on the expansion of nuclear, renewable and other non-fossil-energy power sources. Energy indicators were compared on an annual basis by analysing trends, percentage change, compound growth rates, regional shares and country ranking. Total primary energy consumption jumped from 292.94 to 603.32 quadrillion British thermal units (Btus), and combined non-fossil energy consumption increased from 28.28 to 100.87 quadrillion British thermal units (Btus). Its global share increased from 9.65% to 16.72%. Fossil energy use also increased, by 90.38% and still represented over four-fifths of total energy use in 2021. The non-fossil shares were comparatively high in Europe, Central and South America and North America while Africa and the Middle East were more dependent on conventional sources. The results showed that the growth of renewable and other non-fossil energy sources has helped to diversify energy supply but has not yet led to significant fossil fuel substitution. To achieve effective mitigation, therefore, more renewables need to be deployed, fossil fuels need to be phased down or eliminated, the grids need to be modernised, storage needs to be expanded, energy efficiency needs to be improved and technology needs to be made more accessible and available to the world.