Microsoft: Using AI to Track Global Clean Energy Progress
Global demand for energy continues to grow at a rapid pace, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Its Global Energy Review reports that consumption rose in 2024 across all fuel types, with renewable energy contributing the most to that growth – accounting for 38% of the expansion in global energy supply.
With renewables now playing a larger role in the world’s energy mix, understanding how much energy these assets actually produce — and where they are located — is critical.
To establish this information and provide data around the deployment of renewable energy solutions, global technology, energy and sustainability companies have created the Global Renewables Watch (GRW).
A living atlas for solar and wind energy
GRW is described by its creators as a "living atlas". Built through a partnership between Microsoft, Planet Labs and The Nature Conservancy, it maps and measures all utility-scale solar and wind energy sites around the world.
Launched in 2022, the platform uses AI and high-resolution satellite images to provide a picture of the state of renewable infrastructure globally.
The project is led by Juan Lavista Ferres, Corporate Vice President and Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Planet Labs Will Marshall, and Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive of The Nature Conservancy.
Each of the partners contributes its own area of expertise. Microsoft brings AI and cloud computing power. Planet Labs supplies detailed satellite imagery, while The Nature Conservancy provides knowledge of sustainable development and ecological impact.
The objective is to build a shared platform that opens up access to information on renewable energy installations.
"You can’t manage what you can’t measure," says Will. "So by combining Microsoft’s AI and cloud computing capabilities, Planet’s comprehensive and high-resolution satellite imagery and The Nature Conservancy’s deep subject-matter expertise, we hope to build a powerful platform for surfacing — and democratising access to — renewable energy data."
Juan adds: "The world needs access to data in order to make responsible environmental decisions.
“The Global Renewables Watch will serve as a critical tool for understanding humanity’s progress toward fulfilling the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7."
Global coverage and public access
The project began with the mapping of installations in Germany and India but has now expanded into a global view of renewable energy infrastructure.
Since launch, GRW has developed detailed models of solar and wind installations, reaching back to 2018 and now offering insight at national and subnational levels.
The platform is now fully accessible to the public, opening its data to governments, researchers, companies and anyone interested in clean energy development.
- The world’s solar land coverage has tripled over the past seven years
- Onshore wind turbines have more than doubled, with 375,000 online as of midway through 2024
- The US and China lead in total wind turbine installations, while European countries lead per capita
- More than half of Europe’s wind turbines are concentrated in five countries: Germany, Spain, France, the UK and Italy
Juan explains: "At a time when we need to increase energy production, Global Renewables Watch marks a significant milestone."
“Accelerating renewable energy efforts requires a strategic approach that not only unlocks new energy generation but also protects natural areas and aligns with community goals. We could not deploy GRW effectively without the speed and scale AI provides."
This approach ensures that GRW is not just a research tool, but also a way to shape policy and practice.
Its data can be used to guide decisions on where and how to develop renewable infrastructure, helping to protect ecosystems and ensure developments meet local needs.
Data-led insights for change
Over two years of mapping work is now available in the public domain. This includes global models, tracking of installation types, regional development trends and capacity analysis.
GRW’s capabilities offer detailed snapshots of renewable energy landscapes — providing data that is both current and historically comparative.
Because of the dataset’s accuracy and transparency, users can analyse growth, identify underdeveloped areas and design more effective strategies for expansion.
"This will be a publicly accessible resource to help researchers and policymakers understand current capacities and gaps so that decision-makers can scale much-needed renewable energy resources in a responsible, nature-friendly way," Jennifer states.
With energy needs on the rise and pressure mounting to move away from fossil fuels, GRW helps provide insight that is both timely and actionable. It supports efforts to meet global climate goals and track the transition to clean power.
Juan reflects: "By mapping and measuring renewable energy installations worldwide, Global Renewables Watch offers valuable insights into progress and trends of clean energy.
“Access to this data is crucial for the public and private sectors to power growing economies and manage key resources. I’m grateful to our partners, The Nature Conservancy and Planet Labs PBC, for their expert guidance and invaluable contribution of data to build this digital public good."
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