The Big Picture

The global electricity system is transitioning toward clean energy, with wind and solar emerging as dominant forces. In 2022, wind and solar met 80% of the increase in global electricity demand. However, other clean sources like nuclear and hydro are underperforming relative to 1.5°C pathways. The report predicts a structural tipping point as soon as 2023, where clean power growth may finally exceed total electricity demand growth, leading to an enduring decline in fossil fuel generation. While coal plant closures have slowed, particularly in China and India, the report suggests a simultaneous phasedown of both coal and gas power is becoming likely, especially in G7 countries and Asia due to energy security and cost concerns.

• Wind and solar are rapidly increasing their global market share, with the two sources meeting 80% of the growth in global electricity demand in 2022, while all renewables combined met 92%.
• Ember predicts that 2023 could be the first year of a structural, enduring decline in fossil fuel generation, as opposed to previous declines caused by economic downturns.
• Nuclear and hydropower are the world's largest clean electricity sources, but their market shares are falling because their growth rates are lower than global electricity demand.
• China's 'Whole-County Rooftop Solar' policy significantly boosted solar deployment, with China accounting for 55 GW of the 268 GW of solar panels installed globally in 2022.
• Chile has successfully used wind and solar to reduce power sector emissions by 15% over ten years, with wind and solar generation rising from 0.6% of total power in 2012 to 28% in 2022.
• Coal power capacity is increasing in China, where 50 GW of capacity started construction in 2022, a volume six times larger than the rest of the world combined.
• The 2022 energy crisis has reduced the likelihood of gas serving as a 'bridge' fuel in Asia, as high costs and security concerns encourage a direct transition from coal to clean electricity.

APA

Ember (2023). The Big Picture. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/the-big-picture-ger2023/

Chicago

Ember. The Big Picture. 2023. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/the-big-picture-ger2023/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=The Big Picture |date=12 April 2023 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/the-big-picture-ger2023/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2023big, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{The Big Picture}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/the-big-picture-ger2023/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }