Clean Energy in the Global South Is Exceeding Expectations!

Renewable sources of energy now make up an even larger share of electricity. The Global South’s growth in solar and wind is unexpectedly moving twice as fast as in Global North countries, with world leaders rallying to make game-changing progress on clean energy.

In 2024, clean energy sources outpaced fossil fuels seven times in Global South electricity capital. Ten years ago, both sources were at an even split. Over the past five years, solar and wind share of electricity improved by an average annual rate of 23% – versus 11% in the Global North.

The Global South — defined as Latin America, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia — uses five times less energy per person than the Global North. It is endowed with 70% of the world’s renewable energy potential, and these clean resources keep getting cheaper and cheaper, outcompeting fossil fuels in price. Global leaders gathered at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit and the SEforAll Global Forum to work on implementing renewable energy. Central development banks have pledged over $50 billion in finance through 2030.