16 May 2017: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its annual report titled, ‘Tracking Clean Energy Progress’ (TCEP), which examines developments across a range of clean energy sectors and technologies. The report finds that, in 2016, three of the 26 technologies assessed were on track towards a sustainable energy transition, namely: onshore wind and solar; electric vehicles; and energy storage.

According to the IEA, the TCEP uses benchmarks for 2025 as modeled in Energy Technology Perspectives 2017, as well as the milestones identified in the IEA Technology Roadmaps. The report evaluates whether a technology or sector is on track, needs further improvement, or is not on track to meet these targets. Trends are assessed with reference to technology penetration, market creation and technology development.

The 2017 edition of the TCEP finds that in 2016, the three technologies that were on track towards a sustainable energy transition only represent a small share of the total energy system. However, it underlines that these technologies are “rapidly scaling up and continue to strengthen their position as mainstream energy solutions.”

The IEA report finds that coal continues to dominate global power generation, with a share of over 40% in 2016, and that the pipeline of large-scale CCS projects has effectively stalled due to lack of new investment decisions.

The report also finds that for 15 technologies, progress is insufficient. However, ten of these 15 technologies showed recent improvements, while only one exhibited recent negative developments.

The report also finds that eight technologies are “significantly off-track,” requiring renewed policy focus. Only three of these “off-track” technologies saw significant (and promising) improvements in 2016. For example, the report finds that coal continues to dominate global power generation, with a share of over 40% in 2016, and that the pipeline of large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects has effectively stalled due to lack of new investment decisions.

Going forward, the IEA underscores the importance of “robust scaling-up of public and private clean energy research development and deployment (RD&D) investment” in order to deliver sustained, affordable and secure energy sector transformation. The report further highlights the scarcity of existing information about current public and private investment patterns. In order to improve this, the IEA suggests: implementing complementary public and private pledges, such as Mission Innovation and Breakthrough Energy Coalition; and understanding RD&D investment patterns in order to further enhance the effectiveness of RD&D spending and identify areas for collaboration. [Publication: Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2017] [IEA Press Release]