In a world striving for carbon neutrality, renewable energy is becoming the key to sustainable development. In this article, we take a look at the countries that are performing the best in utilising solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. By joining forces with nature, these nations are setting the vector for the future of energy.
↑ Sweden and Finland: a Nordic harmony of nature and technology
Sweden has been the European leader in renewable energy for several years. By 2020, the share of renewable sources in gross energy consumption has reached 60.1%. Its energy mix is based on hydropower and biomass. This allows the country to successfully combine industrial development with nature conservation. Moreover, the Swedish government is actively supporting the development of solar and wind power plants, which will bring Sweden closer to full carbon neutrality by 2045.
Finland also shows impressive results: the share of green energy is 43.8%. The main contributors are bioenergy and wood waste utilisation, which support not only the energy sector but also other industries, including the forestry sector. Finland is also actively developing wind energy, which contributes to reducing its carbon footprint. These countries prove that even a harsh climate is not a barrier to sustainable development.
↑ Iceland and Denmark: Volcanic heat and wind from the northern seas
Iceland is a unique example of geothermal energy utilisation. Due to its geographical location, the country gets almost 100% of its electricity from renewable sources such as geothermal energy and hydroelectric plants. Geothermal plants are not only used to heat homes, but also to heat roads in winter. This approach minimises infrastructure costs and makes Iceland a leader in the use of clean energy.
Denmark, for its part, has been successful thanks to wind power, which covers more than half of the country's electricity needs. Unique climatic conditions and government support have made Denmark a model for other countries. The construction of offshore wind farms such as Horns Rev 3 is inspiring other countries to create similar projects.
↑ Spain and France: Solar energy and nuclear balance
Spain, thanks to its climate, has become the leading country in Europe for solar energy development. In 2020, renewable sources accounted for 21.2% of energy consumption. Solar panels and wind farms have become a familiar part of the Spanish landscape, helping the country to reduce its dependence on carbon sources. The Spanish government's programme aims to further increase the share of green energy to meet ambitious targets by 2030.
France has historically depended on nuclear power, but has been actively investing in renewable energy in recent years. In 2020, the share of green energy in France was 19.1%. The focus is on the development of solar plants and wind farms. France is expected to double its share of renewable energy by 2030, maintaining its ecological balance and reducing its dependence on oil and gas imports.
↑ Costa Rica and China: Green energy on different continents
Costa Rica is a true leader in Latin America in the use of renewable sources. 98.7% of the country's electricity comes from hydro, wind and geothermal installations. The government's ambition to achieve 100% renewable energy makes this country an example for the world. The construction of the Miravalles III solar power plant, utilising 4,300 panels over an area of 22,000 m², is just one prime example of the innovative approach.
China, despite its role as the largest coal producer, is investing billion dollars in renewable sources. As the largest producer of solar panels, China is actively developing wind farms and solar power plants, gradually reducing its reliance on coal power. These moves are helping the country meet environmental challenges and take a leading position in the global energy transition.
↑ Germany and the Netherlands: The balance of technology and innovation
Germany is one of the most innovative countries in renewable energy. The share of green energy in 2020 was 19.3%. The main sources are wind power and biomass. Germany is also actively developing energy storage technologies to cope with the instability of natural sources. Its ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions make it one of the key countries in the fight against global warming.
The Netherlands, known for its offshore wind farms, aims to achieve a full transition to green energy by 2050. In 2020, the share of renewable energy was 14%. Investments in new wind farms and infrastructure modernisation confirm that the country is serious about its green transition.
↑ Why is renewable energy important?
Renewable energy plays a key role in building a sustainable future. Not only does it reduce harmful emissions, but it also opens up new economic and social opportunities. Here are the main reasons why switching to renewable sources is so important:
- Cost-effectiveness: The falling cost of producing green energy makes it affordable for consumers. Modern technologies such as solar panels and wind farms are becoming more and more cost-effective, reducing the cost of electricity for households;
- Job creation: Renewable energy development stimulates economic growth. The deployment of technologies requires skilled labour, which creates new jobs, especially in regions where large energy projects are being deployed;
- Energy independence: Utilising local resources such as solar, wind and water reduces dependence on imported oil, gas and coal. For example, France imports 98% of natural gas and 98.5% of oil. Developing green energy helps countries become more self-sufficient;
- Environment: Renewable energy significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of climate change. Hydroelectric, solar and wind power plants are almost pollution-free, unlike coal and oil-fired power plants.
- Sustainability: Renewable energy helps create a long-term energy mix. In Costa Rica, for example, 98.7% of energy is already produced from clean sources. This minimises the impact of fossil fuel price fluctuations on the national economy;
- Social benefits: In addition to economic benefits, renewable energy contributes to a better quality of life. For example, in Iceland, geothermal energy is used to heat homes and roads, reducing citizens' heating costs and increasing comfort during cold seasons;
- Climate Change Solution: The example of Costa Rica and Iceland shows that renewable energy can significantly reduce carbon footprints. Countries that actively develop green energy are contributing to slowing global warming.
↑ Conclusion: Ranking of countries with the highest utilisation of green sources
Renewable energy is becoming not just an alternative but a necessity in the face of global environmental challenges. The leaders of this ranking demonstrate that sustainable development is possible if government, business and citizens join forces. Their example inspires us to find new solutions and build a future where nature and technology go hand in hand.
Wilfredo Huppert
Wilfredo Huppert is a war journalist with 25 years of experience. He has spent most of his life in military journalism, wars and military-political conflicts, treason investigations and much more.