Today marks the International Clean Energy Day, established by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, with the aim of reminding that clean energy plays a key role in the fight against climate change.
Serbia expects this day with 824.4 MW of on-grid wind projects and 2507 MW of hydropower. The installed capacity of solar power plants currently stands at 195.3 MW, while prosumers contribute an additional 128.5 MW.
The total global installed capacity of renewable energy capacity in 2024 was 4443 GW
This year’s celebration emphasizes that no country can solve the climate crisis alone. We need international cooperation, innovation and the active involvement of citizens. According to the United Nations, as many as 666 million people around the world still do not have access to electricity, making the transition not only an environmental but also a social imperative.
Last year was the third warmest ever recorded, according to Copernicus, further confirming the urgency of the transition to clean energy sources. According to IRENA, the total global installed RES capacity in 2024 was 4443 GW, which is an increase of almost 15% compared to 2023 when the total installed capacity was 3865 GW.
Serbia in Transition
In Serbia, the energy mix of renewable sources is developing. There are currently 824.4 MW of wind parks on the grid and 2507 MW of hydro power. In addition to the above capacities for hydropower plants, there are also two pumped storage hydropower plants with a total capacity of 639 MW. When it comes to solar energy, the installed capacity of solar power plants currently stands at 195.3 MW, while prosumers contribute an additional 128.5 MW.
Biogas plants have a capacity of 49.7 MW, while only one power plant with a capacity of 2.4 MW operates on biomass. Although the share of these sources is still small, they represent an important step towards the diversification and sustainability of the energy system.
In that context, the announcement of the third round of auctions and overcoming challenges in the field of renewable energy in Serbia is awaited.
The energy transition must be inclusive
International Clean Energy Day reminds us that the energy transition must be inclusive for all, and that only by working together can we ensure clean, secure and affordable energy for all, while protecting the planet for future generations.
January 26 is also the anniversary of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental organization established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transition, serve as a platform for international cooperation, and provide data and analysis on clean energy technologies, innovation, policy, finance and investment.