US Aims for 40% Solar Power Share by 2035

Goal to Meet Household Electricity Demand Solely with Solar Power
Wind Power Also Planned at 36%
Parliament Budget Approval Needed but 'Idle'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Joe Biden administration in the United States has set a goal to increase the share of solar power generation to 40% by 2035.

On the 8th (local time), the U.S. Department of Energy released a report outlining the electricity supply plan for the next 15 years in response to climate change.

Solar power will account for the largest share of electricity production at 40%. The current share of solar power generation stands at 3%. Following that, wind power is planned to account for 36%, and nuclear power 13%. Other hydropower will account for 5-6%, and geothermal power 1%.

This report details the Biden administration’s power composition goals, which were announced last January, aiming for 80% of total power generation to be eco-friendly by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality in power production by 2035.

According to the U.S. government’s plan, solar power capacity will increase fourfold each year until 2035, supplying 1,000 gigawatts of electricity. By 2050, solar power capacity will increase to 1,600 gigawatts. CNN explained that this means more electricity will be produced through solar power than the total electricity currently used by U.S. homes and commercial buildings.

The Department of Energy stated, "The growth of solar power generation is necessary to limit the impacts of climate change. It is more urgent than ever."

All fossil fuel-based power generation, including coal power, will be phased out. The Department of Energy explained that there will be no increase in electricity bills due to the expansion of solar power generation, but the key issue is congressional budget support. The Department of Energy also emphasized that the expansion of solar power generation will lead to job growth. Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy, predicted, "If all electricity used in homes can be secured through solar power generation by 2035, about 1.5 million jobs will be created."

The $3.5 trillion budget plan promoted by the White House and the Democratic Party includes support for solar and wind power generation but has not yet passed Congress.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.