Wind turbines on a wind farm in Villar de los Navarros, Zaragoza province, Spain. New data released by Irena shows that renewable energy kept growing in 2021 despite global uncertainties. AFP
Wind turbines on a wind farm in Villar de los Navarros, Zaragoza province, Spain. New data released by Irena shows that renewable energy kept growing in 2021 despite global uncertainties. AFP
Wind turbines on a wind farm in Villar de los Navarros, Zaragoza province, Spain. New data released by Irena shows that renewable energy kept growing in 2021 despite global uncertainties. AFP
Wind turbines on a wind farm in Villar de los Navarros, Zaragoza province, Spain. New data released by Irena shows that renewable energy kept growing in 2021 despite global uncertainties. AFP

Global renewable capacity jumps 9% in 2021 amid green transition push


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

Global renewable generation capacity rose 9 per cent to 3,064 gigawatts in 2021, as governments focus on cutting emissions to limit global warming, a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) revealed on Monday.

Hydropower accounted for the largest share of the total renewable generation capacity with 1,230 gigawatts, while solar and wind continued to dominate new generating capacity, the report said. Together, both technologies contributed 88 per cent to all new renewable capacity in 2021.

In all, renewables accounted for a record 81 per cent of total capacity expansion last year.

“This continued progress is another testament of renewable energy’s resilience. Its strong performance last year represents more opportunities for countries to reap renewables’ multiple socio-economic benefits,” said Irena director general Francesco La Camera.

Despite the encouraging global trend, the energy transition is far from “being fast or widespread enough to avert the dire consequences of climate change”, he said.

A number of countries are building new renewable energy projects as they aim to become carbon neutral in the coming decades. The US, the world's largest economy, aims to become carbon neutral by 2050, while China, the second-largest economy, plans to reach the net-zero target by 2060.

Sixty per cent of the new capacity in 2021 was added in Asia, resulting in a total of 1.46 terawatts of renewable capacity, the report said. China was the biggest contributor, adding 121 gigawatts to the continent’s new capacity, while Europe and North America took second and third places respectively, with the former adding 39 gigawatts and the latter 38 gigawatts.

Renewable energy capacity also grew about 4 per cent in Africa and 3.3 per cent in Central America and the Caribbean, but the pace in both regions is much slower than the global average, the report said.

“Our current energy crisis also adds to the evidence that the world can no longer rely on fossil fuels to meet its energy demand,” Mr La Camera said.

“Money directed to fossil fuel power plants yields unrewarding results, both for the survival of a nation and the planet. Renewable power should become the norm across the globe. We must mobilise the political will to accelerate the 1.5°C pathway.”

Hydropower growth increased steadily in 2021 with the commissioning of several large projects. Total solar capacity, as well as bioenergy capacity, also increased amid energy transition efforts, Irena said.

Geothermal capacity, on the other hand, posted an "exceptional growth" with 1.6 gigawatts added in 2021. Wind expansion also continued, but at a lower rate compared with 2020, the report said.

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'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

F1 2020 calendar

March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.

Wonka
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Six tips to secure your smart home

Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.

Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.

Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.

Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.

Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.

Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.

MATCH INFO

UAE Division 1

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens

Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
 

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWafeq%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%202019%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadim%20Alameddine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Esoftware%20as%20a%20service%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERaed%20Ventures%20and%20Wamda%2C%20among%20others%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
While you're here
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

THE LIGHT

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Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

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Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Updated: April 11, 2022, 3:27 PM