Global Renewable Energy Could Hit 78% by 2035

The International Renewable Energy Agency just released a plan that could transform how the world gets its power, and the timeline is closer than you might think.

By 2035, electricity use needs to jump from 23% to 35% of all energy consumed worldwide to keep global warming in check. But here's the exciting part: almost all of that new electricity would come from clean sources like solar and wind.

The agency's roadmap shows renewable energy could provide 78% of the world's electricity by 2035, climbing to an impressive 92% by 2050. That means cleaner air, lower energy bills, and less dependence on imported fossil fuels for countries around the globe.

To make this happen, the world needs to expand renewable energy capacity from about 5 terawatts today to more than 18 terawatts by 2035. Think of it as building enough solar panels and wind turbines to power entire continents with clean energy.

Francesco La Camera, the agency's Director-General, pointed out that this shift does more than just help the climate. It creates new jobs, makes countries more energy independent, and keeps electricity affordable for families and businesses.

The biggest challenge isn't building the solar panels or wind turbines. It's upgrading the power grid to handle all that clean energy.

Right now, about 2,500 gigawatts worth of renewable projects are stuck waiting to connect to power grids worldwide. Most of these are solar, wind, or battery storage projects ready to go but lacking the infrastructure to deliver their power.

The Ripple Effect

Fixing the grid problem requires about $1.2 trillion in annual investment through 2050, more than double what's being spent today. Between now and 2030 alone, the world needs to invest $5.5 trillion in power grids and energy storage.

That might sound expensive, but the payoff is enormous. These upgrades will unlock cheaper electricity prices, create millions of jobs in new industries, and help countries build energy systems they control instead of relying on fuel imports.

The report emphasizes that grid improvements must keep pace with renewable growth, or the world risks wasting clean energy through bottlenecks and congestion. Smart grid technologies and storage solutions can help maximize existing infrastructure while new connections are built.

Countries that move quickly on both renewable energy and grid upgrades will gain economic advantages through lower energy costs and new technology industries.

The path to a clean energy future is clear, and the benefits reach far beyond just fighting climate change.