Renewable energy provides a powerful solution to combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are heating the planet. A new study by Ocean Science & Technology has revealed the countries around the world who are leading the way in renewable energy technology, ranking countries in a global renewable energy innovation index.
By analysing both the percentage change in the number of renewable energy patents per country between 2000-2021 against factors such as population size, wealth index, and total number of renewable energy projects, this study ranked 80 countries on a scale of 0-100 (100 being the country scoring highest for innovation within renewable energy projects).
It found that overall, there has been a positive increase of 76% in the uptake of renewable energy patents across the world, and as of 2021, the total figure stood at 61,790.
Top 10 Countries Leading the Way for Renewable Energy
Rank | Country | Score |
1 | Chile | 99.00 |
2 | China | 98.32 |
3 | Philippines | 81.31 |
4 | Cyprus | 71.64 |
5 | United States | 67.42 |
6 | India | 63.67 |
7 | Ecuador | 60.03 |
8 | Uruguay | 58.99 |
9 | Guatemala | 57.29 |
10 | Croatia | 56.30 |
1. Chile (Score: 99.00)
Chile leads the way as the most ambitious country when it comes to renewable energy production. Not only does it plan to convert 70% of total energy consumption to renewables by 2030, but it also plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The political support behind Chile’s drive for green energies has proved extremely successful in increasing the use of innovative technologies.
2. China (Score: 98.32)
China is considered the leader in renewable energy largely due to the huge scale at which these projects operate and the rate at which they are expanding. In 2022, China set up almost as much solar capacity as the world, then doubled additional solar in 2030 as well as increasing wind capacity by 66% and quadrupling energy storage. However, China is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which generates about 70% of the country’s electricity.
3. Philippines (Score: 81.31)
The geographical advantages of The Philippines in the Pacific Ring of Fire, create strong potential for harnessing renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, geothermal energy accounts for 14.6% of renewable energy sources in the country. In 2022, the government passed a bill allowing renewable energy projects to 100% foreign ownerships to encourage overseas investment.
4. Cyprus (Score: 71.64)
In 2023, Cyprus covered 15% of its electricity consumption using renewable energy sources. Although the major setback in the island’s environmental efforts is due to the absence of renewable energy storage, 20% of solar energy produced annually is rejected. Bridging the gap between the production and storage of renewable energy is vital to the environmental goals of Cyprus.
5. United States (Score: 67.42)
Over 20% of all US electricity comes from renewable sources, and this figure continues to rise. In 2022, the generation of renewable energy overtook coal – for the first time in American history! Renewable energy uptake increased by 42% between 2010-2020 in the U.S.
6. India (Score: 63.67)
India has the fourth biggest renewable power capacity worldwide, boasting an impressive 163 gigawatts, as of 2022. One interesting project happening in India is the world’s largest renewable energy park; Khavda is about five times the size of Paris!
7. Equador (Score: 60.03)
Thanks to Ecuador’s mountain terrain and abundance of rivers, the country has harnessed the power of hydropower. In 2021, 79% of Ecuador’s electricity came from hydropower. By 2031, the government plans to add as much as 1.4 GW of renewable energy capacity to the grid. Alongside this goal, they have enforced a tax exemption for investors in renewable energy.
8. Uruguay (Score: 58.99)
Uruguay is often referred to as a sustainability success story. Annually, 98% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable energy. Not only is the renewable energy source capable of supplying this nation, but Uruguay is also able to export excess to South America and Argentina.
9. Guatemala (Score: 57.29)
Currently, 65% of energy in Guatemala is produced from renewable sources such as hydropower. Attention now turns towards encouraging domestic investors, which are set to have a positive impact on the availability and dependability of renewable sources.
9. Guatemala (Score: 57.29)
Currently, 65% of energy in Guatemala is produced from renewable sources such as hydropower. Attention now turns towards encouraging domestic investors, which are set to have a positive impact on the availability and dependability of renewable sources.
10. Croatia (Score: 56.30)
Croatia’s biggest renewable energy source currently is hydropower. However, as the capacity of this has reached its limit, the Croatian government has turned its attention to solar power as the main focus of investment.
Renewable patents in Chile and Latin America
The country that came out on top in this study, with an overall rank of 99, was Chile. Chile has seen a whopping percentage increase of 5,300% in the uptake of renewable patents between 2000 and 2021.
Chile’s green energy focus has accelerated in recent years as these strategies have gained political support and innovative technologies. In fact, Chile has pledged by 2030 to generate 70% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources, and according to the World Economic Forum, “its renewable energy strategy could serve as a playbook for industrialised countries in Latin America and abroad.”
Interestingly, Latin American countries accounted for 40% of the top 10 in this study. In 2022, an article found that in this region, over a quarter of primary energy came from renewables, which is twice the global average.
Continental efforts in renewable energy
When looking at the continental data collected in this study, Asia and Oceania have seen a percentage increase of 186% in renewable project parents, the highest growth of all continents. However, Europe seems to be trailing behind and has actually recorded a decrease of -80%.
This study celebrates the countries that are contributing most to global efforts towards a greener future. Countries such as Chile, China, the Philippines, and the others included in this top 10 can be used as an opportunity for policymakers, businesses, and researchers to support continued progress in renewable energy innovation.
Global Renewable Energy Innovation Index
Rank | Country | Score |
1 | Chile | 99.00 |
2 | China | 98.32 |
3 | Philippines | 81.31 |
4 | Cyprus | 71.64 |
5 | United States | 67.42 |
6 | India | 63.67 |
7 | Ecuador | 60.03 |
8 | Uruguay | 58.99 |
9 | Guatemala | 57.29 |
10 | Croatia | 56.30 |
11 | Montenegro | 50.00 |
12 | Colombia | 49.47 |
13 | Italy | 43.52 |
14 | Japan | 39.66 |
15 | Luxembourg | 39.09 |
16 | Egypt | 37.96 |
17 | Indonesia | 36.88 |
18 | Germany | 36.41 |
19 | Jordan | 35.09 |
20 | South Korea | 34.88 |
21 | Brazil | 34.65 |
22 | United Kingdom | 34.21 |
23 | France | 33.30 |
24 | Moldova | 33.23 |
25 | Tunisia | 32.91 |
26 | Russia | 32.74 |
27 | Nicaragua | 32.64 |
28 | Vietnam | 32.45 |
29 | Costa Rica | 31.74 |
30 | Mexico | 31.55 |
31 | Israel | 31.13 |
32 | Australia | 31.12 |
33 | Canada | 30.42 |
34 | Spain | 29.89 |
35 | Morocco | 29.63 |
36 | Turkey | 29.48 |
37 | Iceland | 29.44 |
38 | Kazakhstan | 29.03 |
39 | Hong Kong | 28.85 |
40 | Bulgaria | 28.67 |
41 | South Africa | 28.43 |
42 | Belarus | 28.41 |
43 | Dominican Republic | 28.39 |
44 | Serbia | 28.28 |
45 | El Salvador | 28.18 |
46 | Panama | 28.15 |
47 | Monaco | 27.92 |
48 | San Marino | 27.92 |
49 | Romania | 27.80 |
50 | Taiwan | 27.60 |
51 | Malaysia | 27.41 |
52 | Ireland | 27.40 |
53 | Algeria | 27.31 |
54 | Saudi Arabia | 27.10 |
55 | Netherlands | 26.80 |
56 | Switzerland | 26.60 |
57 | Lithuania | 26.32 |
58 | Tajikistan | 26.13 |
59 | Argentina | 26.10 |
60 | Poland | 26.07 |
61 | Estonia | 25.79 |
62 | Ukraine | 25.65 |
63 | Belgium | 25.54 |
64 | Greece | 25.45 |
65 | Singapore | 25.41 |
66 | Czechia | 25.30 |
67 | Peru | 25.29 |
68 | Sweden | 25.20 |
69 | Denmark | 25.10 |
70 | Honduras | 25.05 |
71 | Austria | 25.00 |
72 | New Zealand | 22.74 |
73 | Finland | 22.63 |
74 | Georgia | 21.96 |
75 | Hungary | 19.69 |
76 | Norway | 17.36 |
77 | Portugal | 16.69 |
78 | Slovakia | 12.55 |
79 | Latvia | 9.76 |
80 | Slovenia | 1.00 |