Solar and wind energy potential under land-resource constrained conditions in the Group of Twenty (G20)

Abstract

The Group of Twenty (G20) represents the world's largest economies, accounted for 86 % of global final electricity demand and 87 % of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020. The success of the Paris Agreement will be heavily dependent on successful energy transitions in G20 countries. This is the first comparative study to assess the potential for solar and onshore wind energy generation across the G20 using a comprehensive and consistent approach. A GIS-based spatial analysis was conducted to identify geographical areas with potential for solar and onshore wind energy generation, and assessed the renewable electricity generation potential of individual G20 member states against the modelled electricity demands for 2050. The results confirmed that the G20's renewable energy potential is high enough to supply projected global electricity demand in 2050. A total of 33.6 million km2 of land within the G20 was identified as solar energy potential areas, which could provide 923,322 TWh/year of electricity. The results also indicated that 31.1 million km2 of land was suitable for onshore wind energy, with the potential to generate 466,925 TWh/year of electricity. These areas are sufficient to generate over 42 times (solar) or 21 times (onshore wind) global electricity demand in 2020, or 14 (solar) or seven times (onshore wind) the projected global electricity demand in 2050. The results also highlight significantly variance in opportunities and barriers by country. Despite the political challenges, further commitments by G20 leaders are expected to lead to faster energy transitions and greater international cooperation.