By Salem Al-Hajri
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says the world must move beyond simply expanding renewable energy and instead rapidly electrify economies, modernize electricity grids and phase out fossil fuel infrastructure if it is to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach.
In its latest report released in partnership with the Brazilian COP30 Presidency, IRENA says the global energy transition has entered a new phase where implementation will determine success.
According to IRENA, fossil fuels still account for more than 80 percent of the world’s primary energy supply, making them the dominant driver of greenhouse gas emissions despite record growth in renewable energy deployment.
The agency projects that under a pathway consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, electricity should become the world’s dominant energy carrier.
Electricity’s share of final energy consumption would increase from around 23 percent today to about 35 percent by 2035 and exceed 50 percent by 2050, with most of that electricity generated from renewable sources. At the same time, fossil fuels’ share of global energy demand would fall from about 80 percent today to roughly half by 2035 and below 20 percent by mid-century.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera countries must redesign entire energy systems by integrating renewable electricity, strengthening power grids, expanding storage capacity, improving flexibility and investing in energy efficiency.
The report identifies electricity grids as one of the greatest bottlenecks threatening the clean energy transition. While renewable energy installations are growing rapidly, transmission and distribution infrastructure is not expanding at the same pace, limiting the integration of new renewable generation into national power systems.
IRENA warns that governments must dramatically increase investments in grid infrastructure, battery storage, digital technologies and flexible electricity systems to accommodate growing renewable generation.
Without these investments, renewable energy projects risk delays, curtailment and reduced economic value.
The agency also calls for accelerated electrification across transport, buildings and industry, arguing that replacing fossil-fuel technologies with electric alternatives powered by renewable energy offers the fastest route to reducing emissions.
Beyond electrification, sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, including aviation, shipping and some heavy industries, will require sustainable fuels such as renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.
The report further stresses that improving energy efficiency remains one of the cheapest and fastest methods of reducing fossil fuel dependence.
IRENA notes that simply tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, while essential, will not by itself deliver the transition unless accompanied by broader structural reforms.
Another major challenge identified is the orderly retirement of fossil fuel infrastructure. The agency says governments should develop long-term strategies to phase down coal, oil and gas assets while avoiding economic disruption, stranded investments and energy security risks.
These plans should include measures to retrain workers, diversify regional economies and ensure communities dependent on fossil fuel industries are not left behind.
The report also highlights the need for financial reforms to unlock investment, particularly in developing countries where the cost of capital remains significantly higher than in advanced economies.
According to IRENA, affordable financing, policy certainty and international cooperation will be essential to accelerate renewable deployment and ensure that developing economies can participate fully in the global energy transition.
For Africa, the roadmap presents both significant opportunities and major challenges. The continent possesses some of the world’s richest renewable energy resources, but continues to suffer from chronic underinvestment in energy infrastructure.
Accelerating renewable energy deployment could simultaneously improve electricity access, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, create millions of jobs and strengthen resilience against climate change.
Modern renewable energy systems could also help reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution linked to fossil fuel combustion and traditional biomass use, delivering substantial public health benefits while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
