These countries are leading the solar energy revolution⚡

Plus, more sustainable development news.

Author

Nick Hedley
April 16, 2025

Hi,

Here’s some good news to start the day:

  • The world probably hit peak energy-related emissions in 2024 (though the decline will be slowed by the data centre boom), says BloombergNEF.

  • China's power generation from coal and gas fell 2% year-on-year in March amid the ongoing clean energy boom, regulatory data shows.

  • Plans to develop the UK's first deep coal mine in over three decades have been abandoned following legal challenges.

  • Germany’s new coalition government has agreed to continue the country’s energy transition without major adjustments, Clean Energy Wire reported.

  • European Union countries will install a record 89GW of new renewable energy capacity this year, per the European Commission.

  • US solar energy capacity will likely reach 182GW by 2026 — double 2023 levels, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

  • Zambia’s government says it’s reduced the approval period for solar project applications from over six months to just 48 hours.

  • While the measures aren’t as strong as some hoped, countries have finally agreed to cut emissions from the global shipping industry.

  • The number of public electric-vehicle charging stations globally is projected to jump 26% this year to 6.6 million, according to BNEF.

  • German energy company LEAG will put a big coal plant in partial reserve over the summer as the country’s renewable energy surge makes it harder for coal to compete, according to local media reports.

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Thanks for reading.

Nick Hedley

Editor, The Progress Playbook

More than one in five countries now get at least 10% of their electricity directly from the sun — and at least one has already reached the 25% mark.

- Read the full story here.

Amid a surge in wind energy generation, Finland has become the latest country to shut its last operational coal-fired power plant.

In recent years, Austria, Sweden, Portugal and the UK have fully phased out coal generators. That’s helped slow the fossil fuel’s advance — even as China, India, and a handful of other countries continued to open new plants.

- Read the full story here.

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Electric vehicles tend to function more reliably and have fewer breakdowns than internal combustion engine cars, the German Automobile Club has found in an analysis of its 2024 repair service data.

- Read the full story here.

A first-of-its-kind pilot to electrify homes on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard is set to finish construction in the coming weeks — and it could offer a blueprint for decarbonising low- and moderate-income households in Massachusetts and beyond.

- Read the full story here.

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