Wind and solar can provide significantly more energy than the highest energy demand forecasts for 2050 and nearly ten times current electricity demand (299 TWh/year). The research shows up to 2,896 TWh a year could be generated by wind and solar, against the demand forecast of 1,500 TWh/year. Our brief shows renewable energy can play a leading role in our transition to net zero. The authors note that the grid will need significant upgrades to handle this amount of renewable energy, including the scaling of energy storage. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to end bureaucratic delays holding back renewable energy and storage projects.
