2021, a record year for renewable energies, but it is not enough

Wind turbines on the Dali Mountains in China (illustrative image).

AFP / Liu Jin

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The year 2021 marks a record in the deployment of electrical capacities in the world.

290 gigawatts of new installed capacity, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its latest report.

This is good but still insufficient to put the planet on the path to carbon neutrality.

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According to IEA projections, 4,800 gigawatts of green installations should be available by 2026. This is 60% more than in 2020. All regions of the world are concerned, China in the lead, but also 'India.

Wind at sea or on land, solar ... Green energies are progressing, despite the increased price of certain components and transport.

The cost of installations is the main obstacle to the expansion of the sector, but the high prices of fossil fuels make renewables even more competitive, estimates the IEA.

States have an important role to play

States have a role to play in this.

It is a question of adapting the electricity networks, of trying to convince the inhabitants or of helping the developing countries to deploy renewables at home.

The goal is to keep global warming below 1.5 ° C compared to the pre-industrial period.

But to achieve this, current investments would have to be doubled.

The demand for biofuels should also be four times greater.

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• Energies

• Climate change