Executive summary
Timely integration is essential for widespread uptake of
solar PV and wind
Realising the full potential of expanding solar PV and wind requires
proactive integration strategies. Between 2018 and 2023, solar PV and wind
capacity more than doubled, while their share of electricity generation almost
doubled. Governments are positioning these sources as key pillars for
decarbonising the energy sector, and capacity is expected to continue expanding
at speed towards 2030, driven by a supportive policy environment and recent cost
reductions in solar PV and wind. The COP28 pledge to triple global renewable
capacity by 2030 suggests growth could accelerate even more than anticipated,
requiring intensified efforts and investments to meet this ambitious target.

Introduction
The global energy landscape is witnessing unprecedented expansion of variable
renewable energy (VRE) sources,1 particularly solar PV and wind power. These
technologies consistently break records for annual installation, driven by rapidly
declining costs and increasingly ambitious government and multilateral policies,
and are set to grow at an increasing pace. The COP28 pledge to triple global
renewable capacity by 2030 exemplifies the commitment to accelerate this growth,
setting the stage for the continuing transformation of the power sector worldwide.
VRE sources are not only crucial for power sector decarbonisation, but also offer
benefits that extend far beyond environmental concerns. By reducing reliance on
fossil fuels, renewables can enhance energy security and improve affordability,
providing a hedge against volatile fuel markets. However, realising these
multifaceted benefits requires more than simply installing renewable capacity; it
needs the effective integration of VRE into existing power systems. This
integration ensures that renewable electricity can be reliably delivered when and
where it is needed, maximising its value to the grid and consumers alike.

According to our assessment, most systems in the world are currently in Phases
1 or 2. Of the 50 systems we analysed, 25 are in Phases 1 or 2, representing
around 60% of global electricity generation. These countries can leverage
learnings from a wealth of global experience to manage the challenges in low
phases (1-3), as several systems have already reached Phase 3 – the end of the
low-phase spectrum. In 2023, several countries with different geographies and
levels of economic development reached Phase 3, including Japan, Viet Nam,
Italy, Australia, and Kenya. These and other countries have reached Phase 3 by
focusing mainly on policies that accelerate deployment on VRE capacity and
addressing integration challenges as they arise, in a targeted and progressive
manner.

System-friendly VRE
System-friendly VRE refers to planning, operating or contracting solar and wind
power plants in a way that supports the overall outcomes for the system.
For example, it could be the deployment of solar and wind together to leverage their
complementarity, the installation of solar panels at various orientations to generate
more on the shoulders of the midday peak, collocating generation with demand in a
way to reduce grid congestion, or grid code-related aspects that mean that VRE does
not exacerbate issues when faults or frequency issues arise.

Source:https://www.iea.org/reports/integrating-solar-and-wind