Sun rays, wind, and water last forever. They won’t exhaust themselves like fossil fuels do. They’re renewable resources, and the energy we generate from them is renewable. People and governments across the globe are tilting toward using renewable energy because it’s cleaner and healthier for the environment.
The statistics below echo the same concepts – not just what the state of renewable energy is now, but how it has been in the past and how it will be in the foreseeable future.
As renewable energy becomes more affordable, its adoption is spiking up. Companies are going after more sustainable alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint and comply with standard regulations. Many organizations use sustainability management software to monitor their non-renewable energy sources.
Let’s leap into the latest renewable energy stats and look at the growth in the sector.
Top renewable energy statistics
Giants like Apple and Google are reducing their carbon footprint by cutting their energy use by as much as 40%. Microsoft is planning to become carbon-negative by 2030.
The future looks bright for renewables, attracting both attention and investment. Soon, it will own a substantial share of a country’s energy mix. Read the latest statistics to discover the present state of renewable energy and resources.
- 29% of the world’s energy is renewable.
- Uruguay made massive investments in renewable energy sources in the past decade. 60% of its total renewable energy stems from hydroelectricity. The country uses 95% renewable electricity.
- Renewable energy is 100% efficient compared to fossil power plants, which have 25-85% efficiency.
86.87%
of Iceland’s energy has come from renewable sources in 2023. It’s the country with the most renewable resources. Norway is second on the list, with 71.56% of its energy coming from renewables.
Source: Wisevoter
- India’s renewable energy capacity was 122 gigawatts (GW) in February 2023, 12.3% of the total energy consumption.
- 98% of Costa Rica’s energy came from renewables in 2022. In 2018, it set a world record for most consecutive days (300) using only renewable energy.
- Iceland’s 100% renewable energy comprises geothermal heat and hydropower.
- 20% of U.S. electricity is generated from renewable energy.
- India aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. It would include 140 GW of wind and 280 GW of solar energy.
- China is the largest producer of hydropower. Together withBrazil, Canada, and the US, they produce 50% of the world’s hydropower.
- Hydropower and wind remain the largest sources of renewable energy. Solar photovoltaic (PV), the third largest source, accounts for 4.5% of total electricity generation.
Renewable energy trends
Solar energy, geothermal heat, wind energy, biomass, and hydropower are the most used sources of renewable energy around the world. Governments and organizations are moving toward these energy forms with an increasing focus on sustainability. Hopefully, these statistics will help you understand the trends toward a sustainable future.
- Government agencies predict wind and solar energy to rise in 2023 and 2024. These forms of renewable energy would account for 16% and 18% of total energy production in respective years.
- Solar PV capacity will double in 2023, producing 1000 GW of power. By 2030, the world will have enough renewable energy resources to meet global demands.
- Wind and solar contribute 5% of total energy utilized in the US, but they’re the fastest-growing sources.
10 GW
of renewable power capacity was operational in 40 countries in 2021. A decade earlier, it was only 24 countries.
Source: Ren21
- China is the largest producer of solar energy as of April 2023. It has a 430 GW capacity.
- The world’s largest integrated renewable energy storage plant is in the Kurnool district in India. It aims to generate 5230 megawatts of power.
- Wind power is the most sustainable way of energy production. However, it’s influenced by weather and presents a storage challenge.
- Global renewable capacity addition will increase by 107 gigawatts to reach 440 GW in 2023.
- Electricity generation from wind contributed 435 terawatt hours of power in the U.S. Conversely, solar PV’s contribution stood at 146 terawatt hours in 2022.
U.S. renewable energy statistics
Electricity generation plants in the US generated 4.24 trillion kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2022 . 60% of its electricity comes from fossil fuels, and 18% is from nuclear energy. Renewables also have a hefty share.
- The White House is set to achieve 80% renewable energy generation by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity five years later.
- The energy information administration (EIA) predicts renewables will generate 44% of US electricity by 2050.
- Renewable energy in the US is predicted to grow by 1200 GW by 2024.
- Solar and wind energy generation is predicted to double between now and 2025. It’s forecasted to double again by 2030.
21.5%
of US total energy comes from renewables, as per February 2023 data. Wind power is the highest contributor, with a share of 10.2%.
Source: EIA
- NextEra Energy Inc. generates a capacity of 30,000 megawatts, primarily from solar and wind sources.
- The US renewable energy market is at $269 billion.
- Capital investment worth $270 billion has been announced in 2023 for utility-scale clean energy projects.
Renewable energy generation by country
The statistics below indicate the country's share of energy from renewable resources.
| Country |
Energy from renewable resources |
| Iceland |
86.89% |
| Norway |
71.56% |
| Brazil |
42.22% |
| Denmark |
39.25% |
| Switzerland |
36.72% |
| Columbia |
33.02% |
| Canada |
29.89% |
| Peru |
27.74% |
| Vietnam |
22.73% |
| Sri Lanka |
21.40% |
| Germany |
19.45% |
| Italy |
18.36% |
| United Kingdom |
17.95% |
| Turkey |
16.52% |
Source: Wisevoter
Frequently asked questions about renewable energy
How much of the world's energy comes from renewable resources?
20%- 30% of electricity comes from hydropower, solar, wind, and other renewable resources. Source: Aljazeera
How much of the world’s energy comes from non-renewable resources?
70%-80% of electricity comes from fossil fuels. Source: Carbonfund
Use fossil for fashion, not fuel
Fossil fuels are limited and will run out if exploited. Go for sustainable energy sources like wind, water, solar, or biogas. By 2025, renewables will take over coal as the world’s largest electricity source.
The industry justifies the trend with its recent developments. Automakers have made electric vehicles central to their business strategy. Some are even discussing when to put internal combustion engines to permanent rest.
Learn more about the changes renewable energy is making and why it’s a way toward a brighter future.
