‘End of fossil age’ has begun, analysts say

(EurActiv, 14 Apr 2023) 2023 will mark the beginning of the decline in fossil fuels, following the peak of global electricity emissions in 2022, according to a new report released on Wednesday (12 April) by energy think-tank Ember.

“In this decisive decade for the climate, it is the beginning of the end of the fossil age. We are entering the clean power era,” said the lead author of the study Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka.

Ember’s Global Electricity Review analysed electricity data from 78 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand. The report found that in 2022, global electricity generation was the cleanest ever, with a record growth in wind and solar power, which accounted for 12% of global power generation.

Renewables and nuclear combined accounted for 39% of global electricity generation, with solar power being the fastest-growing source with a 24% increase.

Ember highlighted the role of wind and solar power in pushing the world into a new era of clean energy and declining power sector emissions, despite rising emissions in 2022 caused by the war in Ukraine and falling supplies of cheap Russian gas.

“Although it’s unfortunate that fossil electricity generation hit an all-time high in 2022, you can see that wind and solar are already delivering to reduce emissions,” said Dave Jones, head of data insights at Ember. 

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EurActiv, 14 Apr 2023: ‘End of fossil age’ has begun, analysts say