Record growth in wind and solar power last year pushed global electricity generation to its cleanest levels, reflecting a renewable energy boom that researchers say could herald “the beginning of the end of the fossil age,” the report says.

An analysis published on Wednesday by independent think tank Ember showed that 12% of global electricity will come from solar and wind in 2022, up from 10% of global electricity generation in 2021.

The report said solar was the fastest growing source of electricity for the 18th consecutive year, growing 24% year on year and adding enough capacity to meet South Africa’s annual electricity demand.

The increase in wind generation, which increased by 17% in 2022, could power nearly all of the UK, the report says.

“We are entering a clean energy era,” said Malgorzata Viatros-Motika, senior power analyst at Ember and lead author of the study. “The stage is set for the wind and sun to achieve a blistering climb to the top. Clean electricity will change the global economy, from transportation to industry and beyond.”

Wiatros-Motyka added: “A new era of fossil fuel reduction means that coal power will be phased out and the end of gas power growth is just around the corner.”

Based on electricity data from 78 countries last year and representing 93% of global electricity demand, the researchers said the analysis provides the first accurate picture of the transition to electricity in 2022.

This shows that over 60 countries currently generate over 10% of their electricity from wind and solar.

It found that renewable energy and nuclear sources combined accounted for 39% of global electricity production in 2022, a new record.

Despite this progress, the researchers said that the rapid development of wind and solar energy is still not fast enough to meet all of the world’s growing electricity needs. Consequently, the report notes that coal and other fossil fuels are covering the remaining deficit, bringing emissions to a new record high.

Last year, coal, the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel, was found to be the world’s largest source of electricity, producing 36% of the world’s energy.

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas is the main driving force climate emergency.

“Much more needs to be done to ensure that developing countries are not left behind and stuck in a high-carbon future,” said Damilola Ogunbii, Director-General and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sustainable Energy for All.

Ogunbii said that the fact that coal-fired power remained the world’s largest source of electricity last year confirms that the energy sector is failing to meet zero-emission targets. “The deployment of wind and solar power needs to be significantly and urgently accelerated.”

Ember’s report says 2022 could be the peak year for electricity emissions and the final year of fossil energy growth, with clean energy to meet all demand growth in 2023.

Analysts are forecasting a 0.3% fall in fossil fuel generation this year, with sharper falls expected in subsequent years as wind and solar energy deployment accelerates.

International Energy Agency said last year that the electricity sector must move from being the most emitting sector to becoming the first sector to reach net zero by 2040 — if the global economy is to be decarbonized by mid-century.

For that to happen, Ember analysts say, wind and solar will need to account for 41% of the global energy mix by 2030, a sharp increase from the 12% seen in 2022.

Li Shuo, Greenpeace’s senior policy adviser for East Asia, called China “an 800-pound gorilla when it comes to the global energy sector.”

“This is not only due to the sheer size of China, but also to the alarming development trend of its electricity sector. China is without a doubt leading the way in the global expansion of renewable energy. But at the same time country speeds up approval of coal projects“, Lee said.

“This will not take the country far from true decarbonization. Rapid energy sector reforms are needed to bring the country back to the carbon neutral vision it has set for itself.”