Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Renewable energy to represent 20% of global installed capacity by 2030

By Paul Dvorak | September 24, 2013

report coverThe global renewable capacity is estimated to reach 2,055 GW in 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.2% from 2013 to 2030, but thermal energy will continue to be the dominant source of power generation for the foreseeable future, according to the latest forecast from research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The new report (Power Market in Key Countries (China, US, India, Germany, UK, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Brazil) – Capacity, Generation, Regulations Opportunities and Challenges to 2030) says that although countries are shifting towards the use of alternative energy resources, thermal capacity is expected to increase from 3,628 GW in 2013 to 5,833 GW by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.8%. In 2012, it was estimated that more than 70% of India’s power generation came from coal alone, while this accounted for 78% of China’s energy sources in the same year.

Additionally, there has been a global surge in the production of gas, especially shale gas, which is being driven by the discovery of new reserves in the US and the UK. According to GlobalData’s report, the natural gas capacity is expected to rise from approximately 1,416 GW in 2012 to 1,861 GW in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.5%.

Sayani Roy Nath, GlobalData’s Analyst covering Power, says: “The increasing use of gas as a source of power generation has positively affected the power sector worldwide. This discovery has not only helped reduce the import dependency of various countries, but also promoted project finance. This is thanks to countries shifting away from coal towards natural gas for power generation, and therefore requiring financing to support the development of natural gas-fired power plants.”

To transmit the energy produced, countries are also investing in smart grid technologies. In 2012, the global expenditure in smart grids reached $13.9 billion, with the US and China leading in the number of installations. However, power theft continues to be a major issue, harming the development of the power sector in many countries.

“Because of the growth of renewable sources in the power mix and the existing concerns regarding energy efficiency, there is an urgent need to update the aging infrastructure and introduce efficient integration of power demand and supply,” concludes Nath.

Global Data
www.globaldata.com


Filed Under: News, Projects
Tagged With: GlobalData
 

About The Author

Paul Dvorak

Related Articles Read More >

Equinor launches ECO Liberty service operations vessel for Empire Wind offshore project
Triton Anchor receives U.S. patents for offshore anchor
US government allows Empire Wind offshore project to resume construction
Richardson Electronics to deliver pitch energy modules to TransAlta wind fleets

Podcasts

Wind Spotlight: Looking back at a year of Thrive with ZF Wind Power
See More >

Windpower Engineering & Development Digital Edition Archive

Digital Edition

Explore the full archive of digital issues of Windpower Engineering & Development, presented in a high-quality, user-friendly format. Access current and past editions, clip, share, and download valuable content from the industry’s leading wind power engineering resource.

Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Wind Articles
  • Solar Power World
  • Subscribe to Windpower Engineering
  • About Us/Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising

Search Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe