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The briefing highlights the IEA's vision for the power sector to become the first 100% clean sector by 2040 to enable broader decarbonization. It emphasizes that P4G member countries, many of which rely heavily on fossil fuels and sub-critical coal plants, must stop new coal investments and phase out inefficient capacity by 2030. The document specifically identifies South Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam as having significant coal fleets and suggests that bespoke governmental climate financing is required to support the transition in developing and emerging economies.

The document details the technical approach for calculating and harmonising monthly wind and solar capacity data. It defines 'installed capacity' as the maximum potential output and explains the process for converting solar data between AC and DC values, using a default conversion factor of 1.3. The methodology describes how onshore and offshore wind are distinguished, often relying on IRENA data when primary sources lack a breakdown. It also specifies the publication schedule (twice monthly) and the use of proxies and linear interpolation to estimate missing data for global aggregates and specific countries. Detailed country-specific sections list data sources, publication lags, and specific adjustments for 25 territories, including the US, China, and the EU.

The Ember Subnational Data Methodology describes the data sources and calculation methods for electricity metrics across 36 states/union territories in India and 50 states in the US. It details the mapping of nine fuel types and the application of IPCC 5th Assessment Report emissions factors to determine carbon intensity, while noting caveats regarding fuel quality, methane potency, and plant efficiency.

The document maps the EU's power system planning, detailing five primary workstreams: national and European grid needs, European and national capacity sufficiency, and system flexibility. It identifies the roles of key actors such as TSOs, ENTSO-E, ACER, and the European Commission, and specifies the frequency and purpose of core assessments like the Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) and Resource Adequacy Assessments (NRAA and ERAA).

Ember updates its estimate for the subsidies needed to deploy carbon capture at Drax, increasing the average cost per BECCS unit to £591 million in 2023 prices. The methodology utilizes a dual-Contract for Difference (CfD) model covering both electricity (CfDe) and carbon (CfDc), incorporating UK Government projected wholesale electricity prices and carbon market values. The analysis assumes a phased deployment of four units between 2030 and 2045, noting that costs remain uncertain due to a lack of commercial-scale power-BECCS projects.

The document outlines the technical processes Ember uses to assemble electricity data for 215 countries from 2000 to 2021. It describes the use of multiple sources—including the EIA, Eurostat, and IRENA—to reconcile annual and monthly data, disaggregate thermal generation, and estimate emissions using IPCC factors. The guide also provides a detailed country-by-country breakdown of the specific sources and adjustments applied to each territory's data.

The document describes the methodology for the Indian States’ Electricity Transition analysis, which evaluates 16 states representing approximately 90% of India's annual power requirement. The analysis uses 17 parameters across four dimensions: Decarbonisation, Performance of the Power System, Readiness of the Power Ecosystem, and Policies and Political Commitments. Data for financial year 2021-22 was primarily sourced from government entities such as the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and NITI Aayog, then normalised and weighted by sectoral experts to produce state-wise scores.

The analysis of 15 draft NECPs reveals a significant increase in wind and solar capacity targets since 2019, bringing the EU closer to REPowerEU goals, though still falling short. While renewable electricity is projected to generate 66-67% of EU electricity by 2030, the report highlights a critical lack of quantified targets for electricity storage and clean flexibility. Furthermore, the document criticises the poor quality and transparency of data provided in the draft plans, which hinders accountability and investment signals.

The document outlines Ember's methodology for extracting and normalizing data from EU National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). It specifies the preference for 'with additional measures' (WAM) projections for electricity data, the conversion of energy units (1 mtoe = 11.63 TWh), and the mapping of greenhouse gas emissions and final energy demand from EEA and Eurostat datasets to align with UNFCCC and 'Fit for 55' standards.

Ember argues that the UK can achieve clean power by 2030 to combat inflation and energy price volatility. The organization identifies planning delays as a primary barrier and criticizes the economic efficiency and sustainability of biomass and BECCS subsidies.

The report examines the challenges associated with India's Firm & Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) tenders, noting that many have been cancelled or partially awarded due to developer struggles with their complexity. It argues that current discussions oversimplify the problem by focusing on relaxing demand requirements or finding complementary wind sites, while ignoring the critical role of power market volatility and risk management. The authors propose a transition from 'Developers 1.0'—who focused on levelized cost and CAPEX efficiency—to 'Developers 2.0,' who utilize market modeling, portfolio management, and active trading to handle price, volume, and cannibalization risks. This evolution is presented as essential for India to reach its 2030 goal of 50% installed capacity from renewable energy, including large hydro.

Ember argues that Australia's Safeguard Mechanism must address the significant underestimation of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, which it claims are 30-40% higher than reported. The response advocates for a faster baseline decline rate for the coal sector, the adoption of a 20-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) for methane, and a strict industry benchmark of 1-3kg of methane per tonne of coal. Ember specifically calls for a ban on new coal mines and expansions, noting that if 75% of proposed mines proceed, fugitive methane emissions could increase 1.5 times by 2030. The document also suggests that thermal coal mines should be phased out more aggressively than metallurgical coal mines due to the latter's role in steel production.

In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, with solar growing by 23% and wind by 14%. However, a massive surge in global electricity demand—the highest absolute increase ever recorded at 1,414 TWh—outpaced clean energy growth. Consequently, coal generation hit a new historical peak of 10,042 TWh, accounting for 36% of global electricity and driving power sector CO2 emissions to a record 778 million tonnes, a 7% increase over 2020.

The document highlights that Indonesia's nickel processing sector relies heavily on captive coal, with capacity exceeding 15 GW in 2024 and potentially reaching over 32 GW by 2031. It argues that while coal is currently the cheapest and easiest option, the industry faces market-access risks as global supply chains demand cleaner materials. The briefing recommends a combination of efficiency improvements, industrial clustering, and hybrid renewable energy systems, supported by policy alignment and international cooperation—specifically with China and Australia—to establish green nickel certifications and standards.

In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, with total clean energy accounting for 38%. However, a 5.4% surge in global electricity demand—driven largely by economic growth in Asia—led to a record increase in coal power, which grew by 9.0% to reach 10,042 TWh. Consequently, power sector CO2 emissions rose by 7% in 2021, the largest percentage increase since 2010, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

The document identifies nine clean flexibility tools categorized by their function: optimizing supply, storing energy, sharing electricity, and shifting demand. These tools include pumped hydro, batteries, long duration energy storage (LDES), green hydrogen, grids and interconnectors, peak shaving, and smart electrification. It argues that while the Azerbaijani delegation at COP29 proposed targets for storage, grid expansion, and green hydrogen, a comprehensive approach must also include demand-shifting and supply-flexibility tools to fully unlock renewable energy potential.

The briefing argues that the EU can cut Russian gas imports by 66% (101 bcm) by 2025 by fast-tracking the 'Fit for 55' package and scaling renewables and electrification. It asserts that this reduction can be achieved without new gas import infrastructure or extending coal power generation.

The document outlines Ember's methodology for assembling electricity data for 215 countries. It describes the use of multiple sources—including Eurostat, ENTSO-E, the Energy Institute, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration—to reconcile annual and monthly time series. The guide explains how Ember handles data gaps through ARIMA-based projections, disaggregates thermal generation using IEA and EI ratios, and calculates lifecycle emissions using IPCC and UNECE factors. It also provides a comprehensive country-by-country breakdown of the specific sources and adjustments applied to each national dataset.

The report evaluates 16 Indian states on their electricity transition across four dimensions: decarbonisation, power system performance, ecosystem readiness, and policy commitments. Karnataka is identified as the top performer across all dimensions, while states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are urged to ramp up efforts. The analysis highlights that many renewable-rich states have significant untapped potential and recommends improving data transparency, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and expanding green market mechanisms to accelerate the transition.