Canada's Renewable Energy Transition Quiz & Flashcards

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The Top Eleven Countries Leading the Charge on Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, geothermal, and solar power are becoming increasingly important for countries looking to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to a sustainable energy future. In this article, we will discuss the top eleven countries that are leading the way in renewable energy production.

Iceland

Iceland has been a leader in renewable energy for decades, with hydropower and geothermal power providing almost 100% of its electricity production in 2015. Geothermal power also heats 9 out of 10 homes, making Iceland one of the top ten global producers of geothermal energy.

Germany

Germany, the largest economy in Europe, has set ambitious targets for renewable energy. In 2022, its new government set self-described 'biggest energy policy reform in decades,' aiming for 80% renewable power by 2030 and close to 100% by 2035. Renewables accounted for 46.9% of German power consumption in 2022, a 4.9% increase from 2021.

Uruguay

Uruguay has undergone a renewable energy revolution since 2007, transforming from a country that imported fossil fuels for more than a third of its energy generation to one that generates 91% of all its electricity from renewable sources in 2022. Between 2013 and 2018, Uruguay increased its wind power from 1% to 34% of its electricity mix in just five years, the fastest increase in the world during that period.

Kenya

Kenya is home to the largest wind farm in Africa, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which has a capacity of over 310 MW, enough to supply energy to one million homes. The project attracted the largest private investment in Kenya's history, $650 million.

China

China, the world's largest carbon emitter, is also a global leader in renewable energy. It hosts nearly half of the world's total operating wind and solar capacity and is on track to double its utility-scale solar and wind power capacity, shattering its 1,200 GW 2030 target five years ahead of schedule. China is also the biggest investor in renewable energy worldwide, with nearly half of the world's low-carbon spending taking place in China in 2022.

Morocco

Morocco has harnessed the power of its ample sun supply to become a world leader in solar energy. It's home to the world's biggest concentrated solar farm, the Noor-Ouarzazate complex in the Sahara desert, which has a capacity of 580 MW.

New Zealand

New Zealand, our next-door neighbor, is doing great things on the renewables front. 84% of New Zealand's electricity usage is renewable, and the country has set a target for 50% of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2035, and 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

Norway

As of 2016, 98% of electricity generation in Norway came from renewables, with hydropower leading the charge. Norway has been harnessing power from rivers and waterfalls since the late 1800s and has also added thermal and wind energy to the mix.

Australia

Australia should be leading the charge in renewables, given its abundant resources of wind, sun, and land. Harnessing these resources would position Australia as a global leader in renewable energy and show the world that it's serious about reducing carbon emissions.

Spain

Spain has been a leader in renewable energy, particularly in wind power. In 2019, wind power accounted for 27.5% of Spain's electricity production, making it the largest producer of wind power in the European Union.

India

India is another country that has been scaling up renewable energy rapidly. The country aims to produce 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar power, 60 GW of wind power, and 10 GW of biopower.

These countries are leading the way in the transition to renewable energy, demonstrating that it is possible to reduce carbon emissions while also promoting economic growth and energy security. By supporting and investing in renewable energy, these countries are setting an example for the rest of the world to follow.

Description

Discover the top eleven countries taking the lead in renewable energy production and reducing carbon emissions. From Iceland's geothermal power to China's massive investment in wind and solar energy, these countries are setting ambitious targets and demonstrating the viability of sustainable energy sources.