Wind and Solar Hit Record 12% of Global Power Generation Last Year

An aerial view shows a solar farm near Melksham in southwest Britain, March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville
An aerial view shows a solar farm near Melksham in southwest Britain, March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Wind and Solar Hit Record 12% of Global Power Generation Last Year

An aerial view shows a solar farm near Melksham in southwest Britain, March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville
An aerial view shows a solar farm near Melksham in southwest Britain, March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Wind and solar energy represented a record 12% of global electricity generation last year, up from 10% in 2021, a report on Wednesday found.

The report by climate and energy independent think tank Ember said last year could have marked peak emissions from the power sector, which is the largest source of planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) worldwide.

Ember studied power sector data from 78 countries in its annual global electricity review, representing 93% of global power demand, Reuters reported.

It concluded that all renewable energy sources and nuclear power combined represented a 39% share of global generation last year, with solar's share rising by 24% and wind by 17% from the previous year.

The growth in wind and solar in 2022 met 80% of the rise in global electricity demand.

In spite of a global gas crisis and some countries firing back up old coal-fired power stations to meet demand, coal generation grew by 1.1%, while gas-fired power generation declined by 0.2% as high prices made it more expensive to use the fuel.

While CO2 emissions from the power sector rose by 1.3% last year, the growth of wind and solar slowed that rise. If all electricity from wind and solar generation came instead from fossil fuels, power sector emissions would have been 20% higher in 2022, the report said.

Assuming average growth in electricity demand and in clean power, Ember forecasts fossil fuel generation will decline 0.3% this year, followed by bigger falls in subsequent years as more wind and solar comes online.

As the power sector is the leading source of CO2 emissions, the International Energy Agency says it needs to become the first sector to reach net zero emissions by 2040 and this would mean wind and solar would have to reach 41% of global electricity generation by 2030.



Saudi Arabia Establishes Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers

The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Establishes Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers

The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)
The headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Tuesday the establishment of the Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers, aimed at supporting the development and growth of the medical device industry.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to empower non-profit organizations in the industrial and mining sectors, reflecting its belief in their role in advancing the Kingdom’s economic and social development.

According to a Ministry statement, the Association seeks to encourage high-quality investments in medical device manufacturing, support factories’ compliance with the highest standards of quality and safety, raise awareness about locally produced devices and their advantages, and enhance the export efficiency of Saudi medical products.

The Association will also provide specialized advisory services, foster innovation, and help develop the skills of the workforce in the sector to strengthen its regional and global competitiveness.

The establishment of the Non-Profit Association of Medical Device Manufacturers forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enable the non-profit sector and enhance its role in industry and mining. The initiative aims to increase its contribution and direct impact on the Kingdom’s GDP, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.