Cutting down on fossil fuels and increasing the use of renewable energy may seem like a challenging process in Canada, but there are countries worldwide setting examples on how it can be achieved, along with the associated benefits. Uruguay, Kenya, and Pakistan have successfully expanded their clean electricity capabilities.
Currently, oil, coal, and gas account for over four-fifths of the global energy supply. However, many nations are actively working to diminish their dependency on fossil fuels due to their contribution to climate change and susceptibility to supply and price fluctuations caused by events on a global scale.
According to Jessica Isaacs, the global impact director at the World Resources Institute’s Polsky Energy Center, various countries worldwide are pursuing this transition for reasons such as energy security. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower are locally available in most countries, offering more stability against supply disruptions.
While European countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have made significant strides in this transition, lesser-known success stories come from other regions globally. Uruguay, for instance, shifted from imported fossil fuels to renewable sources, with wind energy contributing nearly 40% to its electricity generation in 2023.
In Kenya, the focus has been on expanding renewable energy access, with the country making substantial progress towards its target of universal access to electricity by 2030. By 2024, Kenya had achieved close to 90% renewable energy, primarily sourced from geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar power.
Pakistan witnessed a remarkable shift towards solar energy, with the sector experiencing a five-fold increase in electricity generation from solar sources between 2021 and 2025. Distributed solar systems, particularly on rooftops, have played a significant role in Pakistan’s energy mix, reducing costs and dependency on imported oil and gas.
These countries’ success can be attributed to their ability to engage and convince their populations about the advantages of renewable energy for climate sustainability, energy reliability, and economic growth. The political will and support of the people have been crucial in driving these transitions towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.