Chart of the week

Clean energy

Chart: Texas plans to build the most clean energy of any state

The state has more wind and large-scale solar than any other, and batteries are booming. The growth is set to continue — but its grid is still far from clean.

By Dan McCarthy . 13 September 2024

Fossil fuels

Chart: The UK is about to stop using coal to produce electricity

This month, the United Kingdom will shut down its last operational coal-fired power plant, a major milestone as the country’s CO2 emissions continue to plummet.

By Dan McCarthy . 6 September 2024

Solar

Chart: Solar power is shattering global records

A staggering 428 gigawatts of solar capacity was installed last year — more than in the previous two years combined.

By Carrie Klein, Dan McCarthy . 30 August 2024

Clean energy

Chart: Almost all new US power plants are carbon-free

The U.S. is pretty much only building clean energy these days, and mostly solar and batteries. That’s good news — but the pace still needs to pick up.

By Dan McCarthy . 23 August 2024

Clean energy

Chart: US clean energy investment is soaring thanks to climate law

Private and public investment in clean energy rose to a total of $147B in the first half of this year — a record-setting figure.

By Dan McCarthy . 16 August 2024

Clean energy

Chart: Which US states have the cleanest electricity?

For the country to meet its ambitious climate goals, every state needs to clean up its grid. Which are the furthest along?

By Carrie Klein, Dan McCarthy . 9 August 2024

Solar

Chart: Solar and wind overtake fossil fuels on the EU power grid

In a milestone for the European Union, wind and solar produced more electricity for the region than coal and gas did across the first half of the year.

By Carrie Klein . 2 August 2024

Green steel

Chart: Steelmaking is starting to go electric

The majority of newly announced steel capacity in 2023 planned to use lower-emissions electric arc furnaces, but the dirty industry has a way to go to clean up.

By Dan McCarthy, Carrie Klein . 26 July 2024

Clean energy

Chart: 85% of new electricity built in 2023 came from renewables

A whopping 473 gigawatts of clean energy capacity was installed last year, yet another indicator of the rapid rise of solar and wind power.

By Carrie Klein . 19 July 2024

Green steel

Cleaner steelmaking is actually starting to happen

A new report is “cautiously optimistic” about global efforts to decarbonize iron and steel production. But a rise in coal-based steelmaking threatens that progress.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 July 2024