Renewables could meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030 – IEA
With solar leading the way, renewables could meet almost half of global electricity demand by the end of this decade, says a new IEA report.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) just released its “Renewables 2024” report, which projects that by the end of this decade, global renewable energy capacity is set to grow by more than 5,500 gigawatts (GW).
To put that in perspective, that’s about as much power capacity as the current combined total of China, the EU, India, and the US.
From 2024 to 2030, new renewable installations are expected to be nearly three times higher than what we saw between 2017 and 2023. China is leading the way and will be responsible for almost 60% of all new renewables added in that time frame, meaning it will account for nearly half of the world’s renewable power capacity by 2030. Meanwhile, India is seeing the fastest growth among major economies.
Solar is the biggest driver of this surge, with solar PV expected to make up 80% of the new renewable capacity. This is thanks to the ongoing construction of large solar power plants and more rooftop solar being installed by homeowners and businesses. Wind is also set for a strong rebound, doubling its growth rate between now and 2030 compared to the previous seven years. Right now, wind and solar are already the cheapest ways to generate new electricity in almost every country.
This rapid growth means nearly 70 countries – representing 80% of global renewable power capacity – are on track to meet or even exceed their current renewable energy goals for 2030. While the world is set to add an impressive amount of renewable capacity by 2030, it may still fall slightly short of the goal set at COP28 to triple capacity by then. But the IEA says that meeting this goal is doable if governments make bold commitments, enhance international cooperation, and address high financing costs, especially in high-potential regions like Africa and Southeast Asia.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol highlighted that renewables are expanding faster than many governments can even set new targets. He emphasized that it’s not just about emissions reductions or energy security – it’s because renewables are simply the cheapest option for new power generation in most countries. “By 2030, we expect renewables to be meeting half of global electricity demand,” Birol said.
The IEA report warns, however, that governments will need to step up efforts to integrate solar and wind into power grids. Some countries are seeing renewable power generation curtailed – or not even used – at rates of up to 10%. To fix this, countries will need to boost power system flexibility, streamline permitting processes, and build or modernize electric grids and reach 1,500 GW of storage capacity by 2030.
The report also looks at renewable manufacturing, especially for solar. Global solar manufacturing capacity is expected to exceed 1,100 GW by the end of 2024, far outpacing demand. This oversupply, mainly coming from China, has driven down solar module prices but also put financial pressure on manufacturers. Meanwhile, solar manufacturing capacity is expected to triple in both India and the US by 2030, helping to diversify the global supply chain – though costs remain significantly higher outside of China.
The big takeaway? Renewables are expanding faster than many anticipated, thanks to supportive policies and improving economics. But to fully harness the potential of solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies, governments will need to work together to overcome the financial and infrastructure challenges that still stand in the way.
Dave Jones, independent energy think tank Ember‘s director of global insights, said: “Policymakers are embracing solar and wind like never before, but they are still two steps behind the reality on the ground. The market can deliver on renewables, and now governments need to prioritize investing in storage, grids, and other forms of clean flexibility to enable this transformation. The next half decade is going to be one heck of a ride.”
Read more: Prices fall for residential solar, demand is up for battery storage – EnergySage
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
Workhorse first showed its W56 medium-duty electric truck at Indiana’s Work Truck Week in 2023, and has sold the trucks to logistics and delivery companies like FedEx and Pride Group – which ordered more than six thousand of the electric vans in 2021, and continues to expand its fleet.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
As part of the approval process, Workhorse completed its registration as a foreign manufacturer under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program. Transport Canada confirmed the vans’ compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for both vehicles – but it remains to be seen if and how the latest tariff-driven trade war between the Trump Administration’s US and Canada will impact Workhorse’s plans to expand throughout North America.
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse, via Electric Autonomy Canada.
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![Liebherr developing giant, 140-ton Segway-style autonomous haulers [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/operational-area-earth-moving-copy.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.
Liebherr will show the S1 Vision at this year’s bauma equipment exhibition in Munich, Germany. The design has already been nominated for the bauma Innovation Award in the Mechanical Engineering category – and my money’s on it winning.
Electrek’s Take
This is such goofy, stupid fun that if it was wheelbarrow-sized I’d have three of them. I can’t imagine the insanity of watching one of these things roll across a job site with 100 tons of granite in the bucket – and will have nightmares about the kind of damage it could do if it flipped out like a poorly made Chinese hoverboard clone whipping a toddler across a living room … which, in fairness, would probably get a billion views on Instagram or TikTok or whatever.
I can’t wait.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Liebherr.
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The HD arm of Hyundai has just released the first official images of the new, battery-electric HX19e mini excavator – the first ever production electric excavator from the global South Korean manufacturer.
The HX19e will be the first all-electric asset to enter series production at Hyundai Construction Equipment, with manufacturing set to begin this April.
The new HX19e will be offered with either a 32 kWh or 40 kWh li-ion battery pack – which, according to Hyundai, is nearly double the capacity offered by its nearest competitor (pretty sure that’s not correct –Ed.). The 40kWh battery allows for up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of continuous operation between charges, with a break time top-up on delivering full shift usability.
Those batteries send power to a 13 kW (17.5 hp) electric motor that drives an open-center hydraulic system. Hyundai claims the system delivers job site performance that is at least equal to, if not better than, that of its diesel-powered HX19A mini excavator.
To that end, the Hyundai XH19e offers the same 16 kN bucket breakout force and a slightly higher 9.4 kN (just over 2100 lb-ft) dipper arm breakout force. The maximum digging depth is 7.6 feet, and the maximum digging reach is 12.9 feet. Hyundai will offer the new electric excavator with just four selectable options:
- enclosed cab vs. open canopy
- 32 or 40 kWh battery capacity
All HX19es will ship with a high standard specification that includes safety valves on the main boom, dipper arm, and dozer blade hydraulic cylinders, as well as two-way auxiliary hydraulic piping allows the machine to be used with a range of commercially available implements. The hydraulics needed to operate a quick coupler, LED booms lights, rotating beacons, an MP3 radio with USB connectivity, and an operator’s seat with mechanical suspension are also standard.
Like its counterparts at Volvo CE, the new Hyundai excavator uses automotive-style charging ports to take advantage of existing infrastructure at fleet depots and public charging stations. More detailed specifications, dimensions, and pricing should be announced by bauma.
Electrek’s Take
The ability to operate indoors, underground, or in environments like zoos and hospitals were keeping noise levels down is of critical importance to the success of an operation makes electric equipment assets like these coming from Hyundai a must-have for fleet operators and construction crews that hope to remain competitive in the face of ever-increasing noise regulations. The fact that these are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to operate is just icing on that cake.
SOURCE | IMAGES: HD Hyundai; via Construction Index, Equipment World.
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