Global Energy Transition Progress Updates

There’s an old saying: when the U.S. sneezes, the global economy catches a cold. But when it comes to the green economy, this may no longer hold true. Even as the specter of a Trump presidency looms, threatening to undo Biden-era climate policies, the clean energy transition seems unstoppable—driven by innovation, market pragmatism, and global regulations. 🔹 Did you know? In 2023, 90% of global power capacity additions came from clean energy. Even in the U.S., renewables made up 75% of new capacity—proof that economics, not politics, are leading the way. 💡 Three reasons for why this trend might continue: 1️⃣ Clean energy’s cost advantage: Solar investments now outpace oil production, and plummeting costs make renewables the irresistible choice. 2️⃣ Innovation: Companies like Octopus Energy are disrupting markets, proving clean energy can thrive without subsidies. 3️⃣ Enhanced regulations: European regulations, in particular, are reshaping global supply chains, creating ripples even in U.S. companies. This potential need not be limited to developed countries. In Africa, blended finance solutions and new initiatives are scaling renewables to electrify millions. As Mike Silvestrini put it, “Who occupies the White House won’t stop solar, wind, or hydropower in Africa.” The clean energy transition is no longer a question of if, but how quickly and equitably we can achieve it. 🌱 Check out my latest article exploring the unstoppable forces driving the global clean energy shift—and why the future may be brighter than it seems: https://lnkd.in/evQ5PsxS Grateful to Greg Jackson of Octopus Energy, the International Energy Agency (IEA), Manas C. of London Politica, Adrian Siegrist of Climeworks, Shilpika (Shilps) Gautam of Opna, Rikarður Rikarosson of Landsvirkjun, Mike Silvestrini of Energea and Rachel Delacour at SWEEP for sharing their insights. Let me know your thoughts! How do you see innovation and economics shaping the green energy future?

Why your "realistic" energy projections are already obsolete The clean energy transition isn't just accelerating – it's fundamentally reshaping how we model the future of power. Here's the wake-up call: Solar dominance isn't a far-off possibility. It's our new baseline. Key insights from recent data: • Solar PV could make up 56% of global electricity by 2050 • 72% of simulations show solar >50% of generation by mid-century • Even "worst-case" projections see massive solar growth The implications are staggering: 1. Coal and gas-dominated baselines? Unrealistic. 2. Carbon pricing loses relevance as renewables undercut fossil fuels 3. Focus shifts from "if" to "how fast" clean energy scales But solar's rise creates new challenges: • Grid stability with high intermittent generation • Unequal access to clean energy finance • Critical mineral supply chains • Political resistance in fossil fuel-dependent regions The opportunity: Forward-thinking leaders who solve these barriers will shape the future energy landscape. Question for the energy community: How are you updating your long-term projections to account for solar's momentum? What overlooked factors could accelerate or hinder this transition? Let's rethink our assumptions and build strategies for a solar-powered future that's arriving faster than we imagined. #CleanEnergyFuture #SolarRevolution #EnergyModeling

Where is sustainability winning? Lately, the headlines paint a picture of struggle. But that’s not the full story. In key areas, sustainability is not just surviving—it is accelerating. If you’ve been feeling the drag, consider this: Many plants grow better with resistance from strong winds—sustainability is no different. These headwinds are shaping a more resilient, business-relevant movement. Here are five examples where momentum is still building: 🔋𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀  Global investment in the energy transition hit $2.1 trillion in 2024— with renewable energy investment reaching $728 billion. Grid investment is also surging, crucial for stabilizing the clean energy shift. 💰 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 & 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀  Sustainable bond issuance topped $1 trillion for the first time, up 20% year-over-year. Green bonds dominate, with EMEA leading issuance at 51.7%, followed by APAC and North America. Private capital is moving decisively toward sustainability. 🚗 𝗘𝗩𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱  Global EV sales grew 26% in 2024, nearing a quarter of all new cars sold. While growth has leveled from earlier surges, projections show at least 30% market share globally in the coming years. The transition is well underway. ☀️ 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗺  China, the world’s biggest source of CO2 emissions, added 277 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, a 45% increase in just one year. At 886 GW total, China’s installed solar outpaces the entire U.S. by more than sixfold. Meanwhile, solar is leading new capacity additions in markets worldwide. 🌾 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 The regenerative agriculture market is on track to grow from $11.7 billion in 2024 to $49 billion by 2034, a 15.5% CAGR. North America leads, with investments fueling higher yields and resilience—especially critical in an unpredictable climate. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformation. Despite uncertainty, these shifts show that sustainability remains one of the best areas for businesses to invest, innovate, and grow. Sources: Renewable Energy - https://lnkd.in/e98irP3D Sustainable Bonds - https://lnkd.in/e9UzW3t2 Energy Transition & EVs - https://lnkd.in/eDRzfMZ4 China Solar Power - https://lnkd.in/eA6_3KGx Regenerative Agriculture - https://lnkd.in/eGVJqwxB

Solar and battery component prices fell 30-50% in a single year. Renewables are now outpacing fossil fuels at an unprecedented rate, with 10 times more investment in clean power than fossil electricity. In 2024 alone, the world installed 600 GW of solar, pushing renewables to the brink of overtaking coal as the leading global power source in 2025.   This shift is happening twice as fast in the Global South, where countries like Pakistan and Namibia have leveraged low-cost solar to nearly double their total electricity capacity in just two years. Clean energy is cheaper than ever. As the cost of renewable energy declines, the energy transition becomes an obvious economic choice. RMI: https://lnkd.in/eCm_DAPC

🌍 Renewables are still expanding — even amid U.S. policy drama and political headwinds Despite the noise and uncertainty in Washington, the global clean energy transition quietly advances. Consider Vestas’ latest Q2 orders: 564 MW of wind turbines secured across EMEA and APAC — spanning major projects in Germany, Romania, Japan, France, Greece, and beyond . Deliveries and commissioning are scheduled steadily through 2026–27. The scale of investment — from Boreas Energie’s 175 MW in Germany and Eurowind’s 143 MW in Romania to Chubu Electric’s 21 MW order in Japan — shows markets worldwide are doubling down on wind . Sure, growth isn’t meteoric — the pace is more measured — but these sizable, multi-region commitments underscore a resilient momentum. While political rhetoric sways U.S. policy debates, the fundamentals of renewables growth remain solid across the globe. ✅ Summary: Renewables continue to grow — even if the speed has tempered slightly — and that’s a message worth amplifying during uncertain times. The energy transition isn’t waiting for perfect policy alignment; it’s happening, project by project.

This morning I attended the release of a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency by the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. It was encouraging to see that: ✅ 90% of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the cheapest new fossil fuel alternative ✅ Solar which used to be four times the cost of fossil fuels is now 41% cheaper and offshore wind is 53% lower ✅ $2 trillion went into clean energy last year; a 70 % increase in the last decade. Experts believe that solar, wind and EVs have irreversibly crossed a positive tipping point and entered a virtuous cycle of cost decline and widespread adoption. But this not just about lower cost but is about a historic moment in time. Clean energy is smart economics that leads to decent jobs, helps accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and builds a cleaner and greener planet for all. The evidence is undeniable and yet fossil fuel industry continues to enjoy 9:1 consumption subsidies. This is a clear market distortion. The new report shows how far we have come since the Paris Agreement in catalyzing the energy evolution. And we're just getting started. We now need to make sure that the race for the new does not lead to the race for a few. #energy #greenenergy #cleanenergy