Climate Data is Strengthening a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Future
By CCN News | Published: Mar 05, 2025
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As the global energy transition accelerates, the integration of climate insights is becoming crucial for improving the reliability and resilience of renewable energy systems. A recent report highlights how the careful use of weather and climate data is vital for optimizing electricity supply and meeting global renewable energy targets.
According to the 2023 Year in Review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Potential Resources and Energy Demand report, produced by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), climate-informed energy strategies can help manage the challenges posed by natural climate variability. This includes the fluctuating impacts of phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, which influence key factors like wind, solar radiation, precipitation, and temperature.
The report emphasizes that understanding seasonal weather patterns can help predict supply and demand changes, better prepare energy systems for extreme weather events, and ensure energy security. This approach allows stakeholders to proactively plan for energy generation and distribution, making power systems more adaptable and reducing disruptions.
Key Findings from the 2023 Energy Landscape
In 2023, a transition from La Niña to El Niño brought notable shifts in climate conditions, influencing energy generation across different regions. South America, for example, saw a 3.9% increase in solar photovoltaic capacity due to drier-than-average conditions, which led to an estimated additional 3.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar energy production from the region's installed capacity. Similarly, East Asia experienced a 4.1% increase in wind power generation, contributing 45 TWh of additional energy from its 420 GW of installed wind capacity.
These regional variations highlight the significant influence of climate conditions on energy production and underscore the value of integrating climate forecasts into energy planning. By incorporating this information, utilities can anticipate periods of high demand, optimize grid operations, and enhance overall system resilience.
Path to Achieving 2030 Renewable Energy Targets
To meet the global renewable energy goals outlined for 2030, including tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency, the report stresses the need for diversified energy portfolios. A mix of wind, solar, and hydropower, along with emerging technologies such as geothermal and energy storage, can help mitigate the impacts of climate variability and ensure a stable energy supply.
As part of this strategy, regional cooperation and localized energy solutions will be critical to balancing supply and demand, optimizing cross-border energy flows, and fostering resilient infrastructure. Additionally, comprehensive data collection and sharing are vital to improving understanding of the relationship between climate and energy systems.
The report further highlights the substantial progress made in renewable energy technologies, with wind and solar power capacities continuing to grow. In 2023, global wind power capacity exceeded 1,000 GW, while solar power reached 1,420 GW—both significant milestones in the transition to cleaner energy.
Looking ahead, wind power is projected to reach 3,000 GW by 2030, solar power is expected to expand to 5,400 GW, and hydropower capacity is anticipated to grow to 1,500 GW by the same year. These targets align with the UAE Consensus from COP28, which advocates for tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Through these efforts, climate-informed strategies are positioned to play a pivotal role in accelerating the global shift towards a sustainable, net-zero energy future.
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