A report by Wood Mackenzie has unveiled a seismic 42 percent reduction in solar module production in China over the past year, plummeting to a remarkable $0.15 per watt (/W). This staggering cost efficiency grants Chinese manufacturers a substantial advantage over their international counterparts, setting a new benchmark in the renewable energy market.
Titled ‘Top of the Charts: Five Low-Carbon Tech Trends Worth Tracking,’ the report scrutinizes pivotal trends within the low-carbon landscape across five key charts, encompassing the exponential surge in renewable energy and endeavors to diversify battery raw material supply. It also highlights strides in carbon capture and storage, alongside the burgeoning adoption of domestic heat pumps.
Dr. Steven Knell, Vice President of Power & Renewables at Wood Mackenzie, emphasizes, “The commitment at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels underscores the criticality of every facet in the energy transition process.” Knell notes that while the charts showcase considerable progress, they also underscore the substantial work that remains ahead.
Moreover, the report underscores a widening policy landscape aimed at bolstering domestic supply chains for low-carbon technologies. It also emphasizes the quest for alternative sources of critical minerals to reduce global reliance on China, although challenges persist in certain sectors where costs are expected to remain high.
Co-author Malcolm Forbes-Cable, Vice President of Upstream and Carbon Management Consulting, accentuates the financial magnitude of the transition, stating, “A colossal $70 billion investment is needed globally in CCUS infrastructure before 2030, necessitating cohesive global solutions.”
The report’s data demonstrates China’s dominance in solar module production, commanding 80 percent of global manufacturing capacity and translating into soaring domestic installations, expected to double those of both the US and the EU combined.
The visuals within the report forecast a future where wind and solar energy will comprise over 50 percent of global power supply by 2050, marking a significant shift in power generation dynamics towards cost-effective renewable sources.
Additionally, the charts depict a transformative phase in lithium and cobalt mining and refining, hinting at a reshaped supply base due to increased investments and expanded capacity in response to evolving market demands.
A projection of CO2 operational storage capacity and the flourishing European residential heat pump sector further illustrate the accelerating momentum toward low-carbon alternatives, underscoring the ongoing global transition to sustainable energy sources across various sectors.