RE100 Hits 50% Renewables Usage in 2022
The RE100 consortium, comprising over 400 companies dedicated to sourcing 100% renewable electricity, has bolstered its commitment, achieving a milestone of meeting 50% of their electricity needs from renewables in 2022. This marks a notable increase from 49% in the previous year, as unveiled by the RE100 annual disclosure report 2023.
The comprehensive report, analyzing responses from 382 member companies, reflects the collective efforts in advancing renewable energy usage. Notably, the group's annual electricity footprint has surged to 481 terawatt hours (TWh), with a significant portion attributed to new memberships, particularly from Asia, contributing 72 TWh to the overall growth.
Despite this progress, the average target year for achieving 100% renewable electricity consumption has shifted to 2035, indicating a future-oriented trajectory as the consortium navigates challenging markets for renewable energy procurement.
However, discrepancies emerge between the claims of member companies and RE100's recognition, with only 39% of power needs acknowledged as met through renewable energy due to insufficient disclosure regarding electricity usage. Notably, companies like Microsoft and Alphabet aggregate renewable energy procurement data at a regional level, complicating assessment accuracy.
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) constituted 31% of renewable energy procurement in 2022, witnessing a slight decline owing to burgeoning memberships in Asia, where PPAs are less prevalent. Wind and solar energy emerged as primary technologies driving renewable energy generation, although regional disparities were evident, with hydropower dominating procurement in Asia.
Challenges persist, with 127 companies citing high costs or limited supply of renewable energy as the foremost barrier, followed by 112 companies expressing concerns over procurement options. Regulatory barriers, credibility issues, and data inadequacies also impede progress.
Despite the United States hosting the seventh-largest number of RE100 companies, only 9% face procurement barriers, contrasting sharply with South Korea, where 40% encounter obstacles, reflecting a disparity in renewable energy accessibility and adoption.
As the global transition towards renewable energy intensifies, the RE100 consortium remains pivotal in driving sustainable practices among corporations, albeit with persistent challenges hindering universal adoption.
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