Renewable electricity, becoming a world leader
The energy transition is partly based on the electrification of energy uses, which requires a massive increase in green electrons. TotalEnergies is deployed across the entire renewable electricity chain (production, storage, trading, sales) with the aim of being among the top 5 global producers of solar and wind electricity by 2030.
Our contribution to the development of renewable energies as recommended by the Net Zero scenario of the IEA* accelerated in 2021, since our investments in renewables and electricity reached 25% of our investments, above the 20% that we were considering a year ago. By adding to this our investments in new molecules, more than 30% of our investments will soon be devoted to low-carbon energy.
In four years, our gross installed capacity of renewable electricity has increased from 0.7 GW in 2017 to more than 10 GW at the end of 2021. The objective is to reach 35 GW of gross capacity in 2025, then 100 GW in 2030 and thereby increasing our electricity production from 21 TWh in 2021 to 120 TWh in 2030.
Since 2015, TotalEnergies has built up a portfolio of flexible electricity generation from gas-fired power plants (CCGT), with a capacity of 4 GW at the end of 2021. Gas-fired power plants complement the development of renewable energies, supporting the grid during peaks demand or when the sun or wind is not sufficient.
Another advantage: gas-fired power plants offer greater operational flexibility with a speed of restart and a capacity to increase twice as much as coal-fired power plants. Moreover, its flexibility for the production of electricity also makes natural gas the essential complement to renewable energies, which are by nature intermittent.
Ultimately, these capacities are intended to be carbon-free, either via their supply (biomethane or hydrogen), or via the sequestration of their emissions ( CCS ).
*The IEA’s NZE scenario is a normative scenario describing the evolution of global energy demand that would be compatible with a 1.5°C scenario “without exceeding the associated carbon budget”.
Our progress in 2021
ACCELERATION OF OUR POSITIONS IN PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
Our solar projects experienced strong acceleration in 2020 and again in 2021, particularly in India and the United States. This development will continue, solar energy represents three quarters of the 35 GW that we want to develop by 2025.
CONTINUED RAMP-UP IN OFFSHORE WIND POWER
Our portfolio of offshore wind projects has a total capacity of more than 10 GW, of which 2/3 fixed wind and 1/3 floating wind.
LAUNCH OF SEVERAL STATIONARY ELECTRICITY STORAGE PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF RENEWABLES
Electricity storage projects are necessary to offset the intermittency of solar or wind projects, guarantee the stability of electricity networks and make the most of them given the daily volatility of electricity markets. TotalEnergies benefits from Saft ‘s technological expertise in this segment .