Climate variability and long-term climate change are playing a growing role in the performance and reliability of renewable energy systems worldwide, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The WMO–IRENA 2024 Year in Review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Resources and Energy Demand examines how climate extremes and shifting weather patterns are affecting renewable energy supply and electricity demand as global clean energy capacity continues to expand.
The report finds that 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures reaching around 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. During the year, climate-driven global energy demand increased by around 4% compared with the 1991-2020 average. At the same time, global renewable energy capacity exceeded 4,400GW, increasing the sensitivity of energy systems to climate conditions.
According to the analysis, climate variability is already influencing solar, wind and hydropower output in different regions. Hydropower was identified as particularly vulnerable to rainfall variability, while extreme heat contributed to rising electricity demand and increased stress on power systems.
“Climate variability is no longer a background consideration for the energy sector – it is a defining operational factor,” said WMO secretary-general Prof. Celeste Saulo. “As renewable energy systems expand, their performance and reliability are increasingly shaped by heat extremes, rainfall variability and shifting atmospheric patterns.”
Using indicators such as wind and solar capacity factors, precipitation-based hydropower proxies and temperature-derived energy demand metrics, the report highlights sharp regional contrasts during 2024. Southern Africa saw increased wind and solar potential but continued below-average hydropower and record-high energy demand. In South Asia, wind and solar performance declined while cooling demand rose sharply. East Africa benefited from above-average rainfall boosting hydropower, while parts of South America experienced reduced hydropower output alongside higher demand during hot and dry conditions.
The report also evaluates, for the first time, the usefulness of seasonal climate forecasts for energy planning. It found that some forecast systems were able to anticipate regional anomalies in solar energy potential and electricity demand months in advance, offering potential benefits for grid management, reservoir operations and infrastructure planning.
IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera said climate-informed planning is critical as renewable deployment accelerates: “Understanding climate variability is critical for making smart investment decisions, strengthening energy security and ensuring that rapidly growing renewable capacity delivers reliable power.”
The report concludes that integrating climate data, forecasting and early warning systems into energy planning will be essential to support resilient and reliable clean energy systems.
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