RENEWABLE energy sources supplied more than 40 per cent of global electricity generation in 2024, driven by increased power production from solar and wind energy. The report stated that solar energy output has doubled over the past three years, making it the fastest-growing energy source in the world, according to the Think Tank Ember.
The report warned that due to the hot weather, the use of fossil fuel power plants has increased, leading to a rise in carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. It also noted that over the past five years, the two major neighbouring countries of Myanmar, both experiencing rapid economic growth, have expanded the use of fossil fuels among various methods to quickly meet their growing electricity demands.
The world is experiencing different natural disasters due to the impacts of climate change and global warming. On the other hand, armed conflicts and complicated political affairs of global countries cause fluctuations in prices for oil and natural disasters in the international market. These crises help leverage up use of renewable energy as a great chance for many countries across the world.
According to records, renewable energy sources grew by nearly 5 per cent annually between 2009 and 2019. In 2021, for the first time, wind and solar power together accounted for 20 per cent of global electricity generation. By 2024, renewable energy sources were able to produce over 40 per cent of the world’s electricity, representing a major step forward toward creating a more sustainable planet.
The main types of renewable energy widely used around the world are solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass/ bioenergy, and tidal and wave energy. The major countries that make extensive use of these energy sources include **China, the United States of America, India, Germany, Norway, Japan, and Denmark.
Renewable energy offers many advantages; it does not require fuel like conventional power plants, has lower maintenance costs, helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions, promotes technological advancement, and produces very little environmental pollution. Therefore, for a world currently facing various hazards caused by fossil fuels, renewable energy can serve as a remedy to restore environmental and public health.
As part of conserving the natural environment as well as different communities of all living beings, efficient use of renewable energy will help the global countries in their sustainability of natural resources. The world population at present has to reduce the use of fossil fuels with a view to handing down a better environment as an inheritance to new generations.
