Mercedes Mullins
As the world grapples with the impending threats of climate change, countries are increasingly looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. While some nations, like India and Saudi Arabia, remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels for their economic development, others are leading the charge towards renewable energy sources. Iceland, for instance, tops the list with 65% of its energy derived from geothermal sources and 20% from hydropower. Similarly, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand benefit significantly from hydroelectric power, with Sweden achieving 50% renewable energy by 2012, well ahead of its 2040 target for 100% fossil-free electricity. France stands out with its reliance on nuclear power, while El Salvador and Costa Rica are making strides in Central America, with substantial contributions from geothermal and hydroelectric sources. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan also showcase a strong commitment to hydropower, and Uruguay has transformed its energy landscape, generating 91% of its electricity from renewables in 2022. These countries offer inspiring examples of how a combination of renewable resources and targeted policies can drive down emissions and create a more sustainable future.
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What You'll Learn
Iceland's green economy
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels in the world. Fossil fuels, such as natural gas, oil, and coal, are the world's primary energy source and have fueled the global economy over the past century. However, they are limited resources that can cause irreparable damage to the environment.
The transition to renewables in Iceland was driven by the need for stable and economically feasible energy rather than a focus on climate change. Oil price fluctuations due to various global crises affected Iceland's isolated location, prompting the country to seek a more reliable domestic energy source. Local entrepreneurs played a key role in the early development of geothermal and hydropower systems.
Iceland's economy has other key sectors, including tourism, fisheries, and innovation. Tourism has been a growing force, with a record year in 2018, attracting over 2.3 million visitors. The startup and innovation communities are also flourishing, particularly in information technology, renewable energy, and biotech. Iceland's Climate Action Plan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.
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Tajikistan's hydroelectric plants
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels in the world, with 89% of its energy derived from non-fossil fuel sources. Tajikistan, however, is a close second, with 64.1% of its energy derived from renewable sources.
Tajikistan's large hydroelectric plants are the primary source of its energy. About 94% of the country's electricity-generating capacity is hydroelectric, with the Nurek Hydropower Plant being the largest in Central Asia. The plant has been providing clean, renewable energy since 1972 and covers more than 70% of the national electrical energy demand. It also provides irrigation for over 700 square kilometres of agricultural land in the region.
The Roghun Dam, another hydroelectric power plant project in Tajikistan, has been mired in controversy and geopolitical tensions with neighbouring Uzbekistan due to concerns over its potential negative impact on downstream water flow for irrigated agriculture. Despite these challenges, the Tajik government restarted the project in 2016, and the power plant's first unit was commissioned in November 2018, followed by the second in September 2019. The dam is expected to have six turbines with a combined capacity of 3600 MW and produce 17.1 TWh of electrical work per year.
Tajikistan's abundant hydroelectric resources have made it a major energy producer in the region, allowing it to export power to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The country continues to attract investors for hydropower projects and electricity exports, further reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.
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Sweden's coal limit
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels in the world. About 89% of its energy comes from non-fossil fuel sources, with 65% of its energy from geothermal sources and 20% from hydropower.
Other countries that are least dependent on fossil fuels include France, Switzerland, Costa Rica, El Salvador, New Zealand, Tajikistan, and Sweden. Sweden, in particular, has been commended by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for its new energy policies. The country uses about 48.5% of non-fossil energy and has successfully limited the use of coal.
Coal is one of the most widely used fuels for power generation due to its availability and low cost. However, burning coal produces large amounts of CO2 and other pollutants, making it incompatible with international climate goals. Recognizing this, Sweden closed its last coal power plant, Värtaverket, in 2019, two years ahead of schedule. This closure marked a significant step in Sweden's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
Before its closure, the Värtaverket plant was one of three remaining coal-burning power producers in Sweden. The other two had planned to phase out coal by 2022 and 2025, respectively. However, one of these plants, located in the city of Stockholm, accelerated its timeline and ceased coal-fired power generation in 2019. This swift action demonstrated Sweden's dedication to mitigating the environmental and health impacts of coal burning, which include limiting respiratory diseases and biodiversity loss.
Sweden's successful coal phase-out serves as a model for other countries working towards reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. By embracing alternative energy sources, such as hydropower, nuclear power, and renewable options, Sweden has proven that it is possible to prioritize both economic development and environmental sustainability.
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France's nuclear power
France is one of the countries least dependent on fossil fuels, with 47% of its total energy requirements being met by non-fossil fuel sources. France's energy profile is unique in that it does not rely heavily on hydropower, with only around 10% of its energy coming from hydroelectric sources. Instead, France derives most of its energy from nuclear power, which accounts for about 75% of its energy production. This heavy reliance on nuclear power is the result of a long and complex history with nuclear energy.
France's relationship with nuclear power began in the 1890s with Henri Becquerel's discovery of natural radioactivity, and the country's early nuclear research was advanced by renowned scientists such as Pierre and Marie Skłodowska Curie. In 1945, the Provisional Government of the French Republic established the Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA), a governmental agency dedicated to nuclear research, with Nobel laureate Frédéric Joliot-Curie as its first high commissioner. However, nuclear research in France was temporarily halted after World War II due to political instability and financial constraints.
In the 1950s, France resumed its civil nuclear research program, and in 1956, a secret committee for the military applications of atomic energy was formed. The first nuclear power plants in France were three UNGG reactors at the Marcoule Nuclear Site, which operated between 1956 and 1960. The development of nuclear power in France accelerated following the 1973 oil crisis, which left the country heavily dependent on foreign oil for its electricity needs. On March 6, 1974, Prime Minister Pierre Messmer announced the Messmer Plan, an ambitious nuclear power program aimed at generating most of France's electricity from nuclear power.
While the Messmer Plan succeeded in reducing France's reliance on fossil fuels, it also led to an overcapacity of nuclear power, resulting in relatively low production and the need to export electricity. Despite this, France continues to rely heavily on nuclear power, and in 2022, EDF and Credit Agricole CIB announced a €1 billion green bilateral loan to finance maintenance and improve the safety of France's nuclear power fleet. However, there have been efforts to reduce the proportion of nuclear power in France's energy mix, with President Francois Hollande's policy aimed at increasing the contribution of renewable energy sources.
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Costa Rica's hydropower
Costa Rica is one of the countries least dependent on fossil fuels, with 38.7% of its total energy requirement being non-fossil. The country's electricity grid is fuelled entirely by renewable energy sources, with hydropower being the main source, accounting for about 80% of renewable energy production.
Costa Rica was one of the first countries in the world to produce its electricity from 100% renewable sources. Two-thirds of the energy generated by their national electricity supplier, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), comes from hydropower. This renewable transition was accomplished through the development of the Reventazón hydropower project, the largest of its kind in Central America. In addition to Reventazón, four other hydropower plants—Angostura, Arenal, Miguel Dengo, and Cachí—generate around 33% of the country's electricity supply.
Hydropower is a high-density and high-power energy source, but it is highly dependent on weather conditions. Rainfall plays a crucial role in hydropower output, and during periods of drought, it may not be the most reliable form of energy. To address this challenge, Costa Rica has diversified its renewable energy portfolio by investing in geothermal, wind, solar, and biogas power projects.
Costa Rica's decision to embrace hydropower was influenced by its geographical advantages, such as numerous mountain ranges and fast-flowing rivers, as well as a recognition in the 1950s that the country lacked the financial resources to sustain long-term oil imports for electricity generation. The development of hydropower, along with geothermal energy, has helped Costa Rica reduce the impact of global oil price shocks and position itself as a visionary leader in addressing climate change concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels, with 89% of its total energy coming from non-fossil fuel sources.
Other countries that are least dependent on fossil fuels include Tajikistan, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Costa Rica, El Salvador, New Zealand, and Uruguay.
These countries have turned to renewable energy sources such as hydropower, nuclear, geothermal, wind, and solar. For example, Iceland and New Zealand rely heavily on geothermal power, while Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and Costa Rica benefit from abundant hydroelectric resources.
