Costs for solar and wind could fall 59% by 2025

IRENA launched a new report revealing that the dramatic cost reductions we’ve seen in recent years for solar and wind electricity will continue well into the future. It finds that by 2025 – with the right regulatory and policy frameworks in place – average electricity costs could decrease 59 per cent for solar photovoltaics (PV), 35 per cent for offshore wind, 26 per cent for onshore wind, and up to 43 per cent for concentrated solar power compared to 2015. Given that solar and wind are already the cheapest source of new generation capacity in many markets around the world, this further cost reduction will broaden that trend and strengthen the compelling business case to switch from fossil fuels to renewables.

In this issue

Paris changes everything

The Paris Agreement constitutes a global turning point away from fossil fuels and toward 100% renewable energy.

Editorial: No viable future for coal anywhere

The UN climate conference in Paris last December decided to limit the temperature increase to well below 2°C/1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Paths to a sustainable agricultural system

An integrated food and agricultural policy and changes in consumption patterns are holistic approaches needed to tackle emissions from agriculture.

Targets aren’t enough, but gap can be closed

Europe’s solar and wind initiatives, if both implemented, could increase Europe’s climate target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 to 60%.

Coal kills across borders

Every coal-fired power station switched off will bring great benefits that reach beyond national borders, for both human health and the climate.

Europe’s biggest polluters

Polish lignite plant Belchatow and British coal plant Drax dominate Europe’s most polluting point sources in 2014.

A phase-out plan for coal in Europe

Very old and high-emitting plants are easy to replace with renewables and improvements in energy efficiency.

Lignite power developments in Europe

Several European countries are investing in lignite mining, despite the fact that the industry faces declining profit margins in competition with low-carbon energy production.

New watered-down EU air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets finally agreed by member states and parliament will result in thousands of additional cases of premature death.

10 countries still breach EU’s air pollution limits

Nitrogen oxides from transport and ammonia from agriculture are still being emitted above the legal limits of the NEC directive.

Many ways to cut ship NOx emissions

Establishing NOx Emission Control Areas would significantly reduce ship NOx emissions by 2040 – introducing economic instruments could cut emissions faster and further.

OECD warns of rising costs of air pollution

Outdoor air pollution could cause up to nine million premature deaths a year by 2060 and cost US$ 3.3 trillion annually as a result of sick days, healthcare expenditure and reduced agricultural output, unless action is taken.