Wind one third of global power by 2040

Wind could increase its contribution to global electricity demand nine times by 2040 – from 4% now to 34%.

That’s among findings in a new report from KPMG commissioned by wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, aiding the transition to EVs using renewable electricity.

Moreover, it could account for 23% of the necessary reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 – 5.08 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the annual emissions of the 80 most polluting cities and reducing health-related costs by up to US3.2 trillion annually, it says.

Announcing the report, Siemens Gamesa chief executive officer Markus Tacke calls on students globally to opt for studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and careers in renewable energy to play their part in halting climate change.

Students have transformed the climate change debate in 2019, bringing new urgency and energy to the growing crisis, he explains.

“You can choose to be the one that will make change happen,” Tacke says. “Choose STEM.”

Tacke also highlights the role regulators, governments and companies have in driving energy transformation.

“Financial incentives and clear policies are still lacking,” he says.

“The barriers to a full-scale transition to renewable energy lie not just with technology costs, but also with long term strategies and investments to make those ambitious plans reality.”

The new report also identifies that wind could save 16 billion cubic metres of water by 2030, and that renewables could be key to improving wellbeing in less developed countries (a billion people don’t have access to electricity).