Anca Gurzu, Oct 30

The rise of renewable energy sources like wind and solar will push traditional fossil fuel power plants into new roles as the global power system realigns, according to the annual energy transition report the Oslo-based consulting group DNV released this month.  

Most notably, fossil-fuel based electricity generation is set to plummet by 65% by mid-century as the world turns toward clean energy. Most of the conventional fossil fuel infrastructure will remain intact, however, with only a 12% reduction in capacity, the report found.  

In their new subordinate roles, fossil fuel plants will mostly serve as the grid’s safety net, providing backup power when needed and operating much less frequently, DNV wrote. 

Renewable-energy generation is expected to more than double by 2035 compared to last year.  

However, this surge in clean energy won’t immediately translate into a reduction of fossil fuel use because the world’s electricity demand is also rising rapidly. As a result, much of the newly added renewable capacity will be used up by growing power demand. 

That balance will begin to shift in the late 2030s as clean energy starts to outpace demand, setting the stage for fossil fuel’s decline. 

Solar power will dominate the grid, with a 44% share by 2050, the report forecasts, while wind power will supply 27% of global electricity. 

Despite these global trends, the situation will vary across regions. For example, India and Southeast Asia are likely to rely more on coal than some other regions beyond 2050, while the Middle East and North Africa will almost certainly continue to use relatively more natural gas.