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Energy system
Solar PV
…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 prices have been increasing in many markets. A rapid increase in power system flexibility and grid investment is necessary to integrate future growth securely and cost-effectively.
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Energy system
Nuclear Power
…increase
As the world’s second-largest source of low-emissions electricity after hydropower, nuclear power today produces just under 10% of global electricity supply. Now, fresh momentum around the world has the potential to open a new era for nuclear energy.
Power generation from the global fleet of nearly 420 active nuclear reactors is set to reach a record high in 2025 as Japan restarts production, maintenance works are completed in France, and new reactors begin commercial operations in various markets, including China, Europe, India and Korea. Meanwhile, more than 60 nuclear reactors are currently under construction – representing over…
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Energy system
CO2 Capture and Utilisation
Country and regional highlights
CCUS and synthetic fuel policies are being strengthened in the United States and Europe
CO2 emissions
CO2 use can bring important climate benefits, but with caveats
Activity
CO2 use for synthetic fuels remains the leading new utilisation route
Technology installation and infrastructure
CCU supply chains can benefit from synergies with fossil-based synthetic fuel production and CCS
Innovation
Policy
Investment
Venture capital investment in CCU continues to grow
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Energy system
International Shipping
Country and regional highlights
Advances in emissions regulations and technologies to decarbonise shipping
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions from international shipping continued to rebound in 2022 following a dip in 2020
Energy
Scaling up low-emission fuels is the key to decarbonising international shipping
Technology deployment
Methanol-fuelled fleet increasing in near-term
Innovation
Industry continues to develop zero-emission vessels
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
International collaboration
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Energy system
Biofuels
Country and regional highlights
The United States Inflation Reduction Act makes USD 9.4 billion available for biofuels
Energy
Biofuel demand increased by 6% in 2022, continuing the recent pace of growth
Technology deployment
Biofuel production technology needs to diversify to sustainably take advantage of existing waste and residue feedstocks
Innovation
Technologies that can convert woody feedstocks into biofuels need to be proven at scale in the next few years
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
Investment
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Energy system
Cars and Vans
More stringent and broader coverage of fuel efficiency standards for light-duty vehicles is needed
For cars and vans, increasing fuel efficiency standards is important as even in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, nearly 80% of cars and vans on the road in 2030 are still powered with internal combustion engines. Sales of heavier, less efficient SUVs reached around 46% of global sales in 2022, while electric vehicles were just 14% of sales. More and more countries are formulating vehicle efficiency standards and some are even putting in place zero-emission vehicle sales requirements. To be in line…
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Energy system
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage
Country and regional highlights
The United States launches a first-of-its-kind purchasing programme for CDR, while funding support and certification efforts emerge in Europe
CO2 capture
Despite increasing awareness around the importance of BECCS for reaching net zero, deployment remains low
Technology installation and infrastructure
Lead times for BECCS projects depend heavily on the application and destination of the CO2
Innovation
Policy
Investment
Investment in BECCS is growing across applications
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Energy system
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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Energy system
Smart Grids
Country and regional highlights
Several major economies have announced substantial new funding to modernise and digitalise their electricity grids
Deployment
Clean, reliable and resilient electricity systems need smart grids more than ever
Innovation
Digital infrastructure in electricity grids is growing
Investment
Investment in electricity grids is growing, with more ambitious network plans to facilitate the electrification of the economy and the integration of renewables
International collaboration