Abu Dhabi: As the global transition to renewable energy accelerates, weather and climate insights are becoming increasingly important to ensure the reliability and resilience of energy systems and planning of electricity demand and supplies, according to a new report. Released ahead of the Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum in Barbados on 12-13 March, the 2023 Year in Review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Potential Resources and Energy Demand finds that climate-informed and diversified energy solutions are essential if the world is to meet targets to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
According to Emirates News Agency, the report was jointly produced by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The report emphasizes the direct impact of climate on electricity supply and demand, highlighting that solar power generation in drier-than-average conditions, wind power generation in areas transitioning from La Ni±a to El Ni±o, and hydropower generation amidst changing precipitation patterns all require strategic planning.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, IRENA Director-General Francesco Camera, and C3S Director Carlo Buontempo, in a joint foreword, noted that integrating climate insights into energy planning enhances power generation reliability, anticipates seasonal demand peaks, and strengthens the adaptability of future infrastructure. The report reflects on 2023, a year marked by the transition from La Ni±a to El Ni±o, impacting key climatic variables such as wind speed, solar radiation, precipitation, and temperature. Notably, 2023 was identified as the warmest year on record, a title subsequently surpassed in 2024.