Categories: CleanTech Bites

Graph of the Day: Why “experts” get it wrong on wind and solar

Published by

We’ve mentioned this before, but one of the striking patterns of behaviour in the energy industry over the last decade has been the ability of the “established” energy experts to completely underestimate the growth of renewable energy – and to overplay the credentials of fossil fuels.

As we have seen in Australia, this has been a costly exercise, resulting in massive over-investment in poles and wires, and in fossil fuel generation. Similar stories have been played out across the world.

So who is best at getting the forecasts right? This interesting graphic shows that the green NGOs – those accused in dealing in “fantasy” – are a lot closer to the mark, particularly when it comes down to forecasts for wind and solar capacity additions.

The graph below pretty much speaks for itself. Greenpeace has been a lot closer to reality than the International Energy Agency. Perhaps it also has a better grip on how quickly the world can move to a largely renewable-based energy system.

 

 

 

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Giles Parkinson

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Hunter Valley collieries to be greened-up as clean industrial hubs in “post mining land transformation”

State and federal governments aim for 7,000 green and industrial jobs under new master plans…

14 July 2026

“We cannot wait:” Changes made to renewable tenders to ensure wind and solar projects actually get built

Key changes have been made to renewable tenders to ensure that the winning projects can…

14 July 2026

Coal closure delays and soaring prices mean more batteries and fewer syncons to keep heartbeat of grid

Soaring syncon costs and supply issues, along with delays to coal closures, is opening up…

14 July 2026

Spitting chips: A deep dive into the data and token industry, and who carries the GPU risk

This note provides an estimate of demand and supply of tokens, draws a conclusion about…

14 July 2026

Wind project with an 8-hour battery hybrid looks for final green light after speeding through state approvals

A new wind-battery hybrid project speeded through state approvals, now it needs one more nod,…

14 July 2026

Graph of the Day: Half-time and hydration breaks lift grid demand in England and Norway World Cup game

England and Norway experienced big surges in demand during half time and hydration breaks in…

14 July 2026