Wind power could produce more electricity than coal by 2026, according to Gavin Maguire’s commentary piece for Reuters. Data from think tank Ember revealed that coal-fired electricity generation was 60% greater than that of wind in the first 10 months of 2023. However, that lead could shrink as companies are closing coal plants and pivoting to renewable energy sources.
The landscape has shifted and indicates it will continue to do so. Renewable energy sources surpassed coal in the electric power sector for the first time in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Nuclear energy is also experiencing a resurgence. The U.S. and over 20 other nations have pledged to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
“Nuclear power that adheres to the highest safety, sustainability, security and non-proliferation standards has a key role to play in keeping 1.5 C within reach” climate envoy John Kerry posted on X.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s benchmark is 1.5°C, representing the critical threshold for limiting global warming compared to pre-industrial times.