The US power grid saw an addition of 11,015 MW of renewable energy in the second quarter of 2024, according to a report from the American Clean Power Association (ACP). This represents a 90.8% increase from the 5,772 MW added in the same period last year.

Jason Grumet, CEO of ACP, stated, “Clean energy is answering the call to unleash more American energy.” He emphasized the rapid growth in energy storage, noting, “While all clean energy technologies are expanding their market share, energy storage is scaling at a stunning speed and has surpassed 20 GW of operating capacity.”

In Q2 2024, 2.9 GW of new energy storage capacity was added, bringing the total to 21.6 GW across the US. The report also highlights that Texas has surpassed California in utility-scale solar capacity, adding 1,656 MW during the quarter to reach a total of 21,932 MW.

Grumet added that 19 GW of clean power had been added to the grid in 2024 and stressed the need for continued progress. “With rapidly growing demand and the need to make significant strides in decarbonizing our economy, the stakes are high,” he said. “Our recent progress is encouraging, but we are not moving fast enough. ACP is committed to working with all stakeholders and policymakers to accelerate progress toward a secure, reliable, and clean energy future.”

The report also notes that US data centers now use over 40 GW of renewable energy. Major companies are advancing their clean energy commitments, with Meta planning to power its US data centers with geothermal energy and Google signing renewable power agreements for its data centers in Illinois and Virginia.

African leaders have been promoting the continent as an investment destination for technology companies aiming to enhance their green credentials. Many global companies have set carbon-free energy targets and are seeking clean energy sources like solar and wind. With over 70% of its grid power from green sources, Kenya is emerging as a popular destination for these initiatives.