QAZAQ GREEN.  As the global shift to renewable energy gains momentum, weather and climate data are proving critical in ensuring energy system reliability and efficient electricity planning, according to a new report from leading international organizations.

The "2023 Year in Review: Climate-Driven Global Renewable Energy Potential, Resources, and Energy Demand" was jointly released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The report highlights the role of climate-informed energy solutions in achieving global targets, including tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.

The report underscores how natural climate variability significantly affects renewable energy sources:

·        Solar Power: Drier-than-average conditions influence photovoltaic generation.

·        Wind Power: Shifts between La Niña and El Niño alter wind patterns and production.

·        Hydropower: Precipitation fluctuations impact reservoir levels and output.

"Integrating climate insights into energy planning enables more reliable power generation, anticipates seasonal demand peaks, and enhances infrastructure resilience," stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, IRENA Director-General Francesco Camera, and C3S Director Carlo Buontempo in a joint foreword.

2023 saw a transition from La Niña to El Niño, affecting key climate variables such as wind speed, solar radiation, precipitation, and temperature. It was also the hottest year on record until it was surpassed in 2024.

Among the report's highlights:

·        South America experienced a 3.9% increase in solar photovoltaic capacity, adding 3.5 TWh/year in energy output.

·        East Asia recorded a 4.1% increase in wind power generation, contributing 45 TWh from its 420 GW installed onshore capacity—95% of which is in China.

·        Seasonal climate forecasts were identified as a key tool for anticipating energy supply-demand fluctuations, improving grid operations, and mitigating extreme weather impacts.

To meet 2030 targets, the report stresses the need for diversified energy portfolios combining wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and energy storage technologies. Regional cooperation and localized solutions will be essential for balancing energy supply and demand, optimizing cross-border energy flows, and strengthening infrastructure resilience.

The report also advocates for the creation of new market structures that account for the flexibility of emerging clean power systems.

Despite vast renewable resources, Africa accounts for just 2% of global installed renewable energy capacity. The report emphasizes that integrating climate data with resource potential can help drive sustainable development, support industrialization, and expand energy access across the continent.

Achieving the 1.5°C climate target requires a massive expansion in renewable energy capacities:

·        Wind Power: Expected to grow from 1,000 GW in 2023 to 3,000 GW by 2030 and 8,000 GW by 2050.

·        Solar Power: Projected to rise from 1,420 GW in 2023 to 5,400 GW by 2030 and 18,000 GW by 2050.

·        Hydropower: Anticipated to expand from 1,410 GW in 2023 to 1,500 GW by 2030 and 2,500 GW by 2050.

These projections align with the UAE Consensus established at COP28 in 2023, which emphasized the need to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Additionally, IRENA reports a sharp decline in renewable energy costs, with solar power costs dropping by 90% and wind power costs decreasing by 68% between 2010 and 2023.

The full report was released ahead of the Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum in Barbados on March 12-13.