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Solar PV
Solar PV continues to dominate global renewables growth, though at a slower rate
Recent policy changes are expected to affect the pace at which solar PV capacity is added annually through the end of this decade. Even so, low costs, faster permitting and broad social acceptance are set to continue to drive the accelerating adoption of solar PV. As a result, capacity is set to more than double between 2025 and 2030 compared with the 2019 to 2024 period.
A growing share of variable renewable sources such as solar also comes with challenges. Curtailment levels and instances of negative electricity…
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Heat Pumps
Heat pump sales stalled in 2023 as household budgets were squeezed
Global sales of heat pumps decreased by 3% in 2023 after two consecutive years of double-digit growth fuelled by the energy crisis. This slowdown reflects broader aversion to large-ticket purchases among consumers amid higher interest rates and inflation. Heat pumps are a large investment for households, and sales are particularly sensitive to borrowing costs and consumer sentiment.
At the same time, natural gas prices have mostly declined from their peaks in 2022, highlighting the need to tilt energy tariffs and taxes in favour of cleaner consumer choices…
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Hydroelectricity
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy today, but that could change soon
Hydro is currently the third largest source of power generation worldwide after coal and natural gas. In 2024, it generated around 4 500 terawatt-hours of electricity, or 14% of the global total.
More than 150 gigawatts (GW) of new hydro capacity is set to come online by the end of the decade, mostly in emerging and developing economies. As a result, electricity generation from hydropower is expected to increase by 7% between 2025 and 2030. However, its share in global electricity generation is poised to…
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Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks
CO2 emissions
Data centres and data transmission networks are responsible for 1% of energy-related GHG emissions
Energy
Strong efficiency improvements have helped to limit growth in energy demand from data centres globally
Activity
Emerging services and technologies such as streaming, cloud gaming, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality are poised to boost demand for data services
Renewable energy
Policy
Private sector initiatives
Acknowledgements
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District Heating
Country and regional highlights
Momentum for change is growing within the district heating industry
CO2 emissions
Decarbonisation efforts have not yet been sufficient to curb associated emissions
Energy
Despite large potential for the integration of renewable sources and recycled heat, fossil fuels dominate district heat supplies globally
Deployment
The district heating industry is transitioning to lower-temperature networks and integrating renewable energy sources
Innovation
Policy
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Gas Flaring
CO2 emissions
The volumes of natural gas flared in 2022 were around the same level as in 2010
Technology deployment
Oil producers have a range of readily available options to reduce and avoid flaring, with a number of new technologies also under development
Policy
A number of countries have introduced policies to reduce flaring
Investment
Operators that sell high-flaring assets are often passing on a problem to other operators that may be less willing, or less able, to cut down on flaring
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Aluminium
Country and regional Highlights
Technological progress is being made in a range of countries, while the expected expansion of China’s emissions trading systems will be key to reducing direct emissions
CO2 emissions
Further action to reduce emissions intensity will be needed to get on track with the NZE Scenario
Energy
While the energy efficiency of aluminium production has improved, fuel switching needs to accelerate
Activity
Technology deployment
Innovation
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
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CO2 Transport and Storage
Country and regional highlights
Development in major regions has advanced significantly in 2023, and some countries have announced first-ever projects
Activity
Dedicated CO2 storage capacity is matching capture plans as infrastructure-specific announcements surge
Technology deployment
Pioneering shipment of CO2 for dedicated storage in Europe paves way for future CO2 shipping ventures
Innovation
Policy
Government support for CO2 transport and storage infrastructure is growing
Acknowledgements
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Electric Vehicles
Global electric car sales continue to break records as affordability improves
Despite recent economic headwinds that have put pressure on the auto sector, global sales of electric cars have continued to break records as electric models become increasingly affordable. Electric car sales exceeded 17 million globally in 2024, reaching a sales share of more than 20%. Just the additional 3.5 million electric cars sold in 2024 compared with the previous year is more than the total number of electric cars sold worldwide in 2020.
In 2025, sales of electric cars are expected to surpass 20 million, accounting for over…
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Lighting
Country and regional highlights
Prominent progress in increasing standards and labels for lighting
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions by lighting increased marginally in 2022, despite increased uptake of efficient lamps
Energy
Increased energy demand for service lighting more than offset a drop in residential lighting in 2022
Activity
Increasing building space and population is driving additional demand for lighting
Technology deployment
LED is now the leading lighting technology in homes
Innovation
Policy