Renewable electricity generation by energy source
Over the past decades, the profile of renewable energy sources has significantly diversified. While hydropower
*
continues to provide the bulk of electricity generation, variable renewables have steadily increased their share in
the global electricity mix, growing from 1.1% of renewable generation in 2000 to 40.2% in 2022.
In 2022, hydropower remained the largest source of renewable electricity, generating 4 330 TWh, a modest 0.8%
increase over 2021. Wind energy follows, producing 2 098 TWh, marking a 14.0% increase compared to 2021.
Solar energy, the fastest-growing renewable energy source in recent years, generated 1 294 TWh, a year-on-year
increase of more than one quarter (25.6%). Bioenergy produced 619 TWh, growing by 1.5%, while geothermal
energy contributed 97 TWh and marine energy was close to 1 TWh.
Renewable electricity generation by region
In absolute terms of renewable electricity generation, Asia led the world in 2022, generating 3 749 TWh, a 9.3%
increase driven by solar and hydropower, both offsetting declines in wind energy and bioenergy.
North America came in second for the first time, with 1 493 TWh, up by 8.6% across energy sources, despite a
drop in bioenergy. Europe generated 1 462 TWh a small 0.6% decrease from 2021. South America generated 940
TWh, showing an 11.9% increase from 2021 due to a hydropower recovery and a greater role of solar energy.
Eurasia produced 363 TWh, growing
slightly by 2.5%, with solar and wind
making up for continuous declines in
hydropower. Africa generated 205 TWh,
showing a modest growth of 3.5% across
all sources. Oceania generated 125 TWh,
a robust 14.1% increase across energy
sources. Central America and the
Caribbean followed with 57 TWh with a
1.3% growth. Lastly, the Middle East
generated 47 TWh, seeing a 16.9% rise
due to new wind energy additions and
ongoing solar expansion.
In terms of the electricity mix by region,
South America leads the way with 75.0%
of its electricity coming from renewable
sources, predominantly hydropower,
which accounts for three-quarters of their
renewable energy. Europe follows with
40.5% of its electricity from renewables,
characterized by a more varied mix:
35.7% wind energy, 33.3% hydropower,
16.1% solar, 14.0% bioenergy and 0.8%
geothermal. Central America and the
Caribbean, along with Oceania, both
generate close to 38% of their electricity
from renewables.
In North America, renewables contribute to 27.0% of the electricity mix, while in Asia, the figure is 26.2%. Eurasia
had 23.5% renewable electricity, while Africa had 22.8%. Lastly, the Middle East lags significantly behind, with just
3.4% of its electricity generated from renewables.
*
hydropower (excluding pumped storage)
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0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
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3.5
4.0
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
2021
2022
2020
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2020
2021
2022
Asia North
America
Europe South
America
Eurasia Africa Oceania Central
America
and the
Caribbean
Middle East
Electricity Generation (PWh)
Hydropower Solar energy Wind energy Bioenergy Geothermal energy Marine energy