Author | Elvira Esparza

Given the rapid growth of cities, which leads to increased pollution and diminished social well-being, smart cities emerge as the most sustainable alternative.

Leveraging new technologies, smart cities offer sustainable urban development by optimizing resources and enhancing energy efficiency, reducing consumption and air pollution, and improving citizens’ quality of life. To achieve this, they employ advanced technologies like the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, or big data to analyze information in real-time and manage resources more efficiently.

The main characteristics of a smart city focus on:

• Connectivity, where technology facilitates the interconnection of devices, vehicles, buildings, and services.
• Data management, collecting and analyzing data in real time to improve efficiency and prevent problems.
• Energy efficiency thanks to smart buildings, the use of renewable energies and smart grids.
• Sustainable mobility, featuring integrated public transport networks and policies that promote walking and cycling.
• Waste management promoting recycling and waste reduction.
• Citizen participation through digital platforms that streamline communication with municipal services and the Administration.
• Quality of life for citizens, through urban spaces designed for inclusivity and the proximity of essential services such as education, employment, leisure, food, and healthcare.

The top 10 countries using green energy

When analyzing smart cities, focusing on the use of renewable energies reveals a notable and consistent growth in recent years. According to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy capacity grew by 14% in 2023, with 473 GW installed, surpassing the 80 GW increase in fossil fuel capacity. However, a more substantial increase is needed to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Based on data on the capacity of wind, hydroelectric, and solar power installed in various countries that currently cannot offset their environmental impact, we have compiled a ranking of the top 20 countries in terms of usage of green energy per 100,000 people.

Interestingly, the most polluting countries—China, the United States, and India—have the highest installed capacities for renewable energy. However, fossil fuels still account for a greater share of their energy consumption. In contrast, in the countries at the top of the ranking, primarily European nations, the percentage of renewable energies exceeds that of fossil fuels in their energy mix.

1. The Netherlands

The Netherlands tops the ranking of countries with the highest per capita renewable energy use, primarily due to its substantial solar power capacity (23 GW), achieved through widespread residential solar panel installations. Wind power (8 GW) is generated from offshore wind farms such as Gemini, Borssele, and Hollandse Kust Zuid, with the latter being one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world.

2. Germany

Germany’s Energiewende, or energy transition, aims to achieve 80% of power from renewables by 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2045, ahead of the deadline. Germany currently has a renewable energy capacity of 130 GW, with 67 GW from solar power and 64 GW from wind power. Wind power accounts for 25 to 30% of Germany’s total electricity, thanks to the development of offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. A surprising fact about Germany is that it generates more solar power than Spain and Italy combined, despite receiving less sunlight.

3. Spain

With an installed renewable energy capacity of around 70 GW, Spain has a relatively balanced distribution among various sources: solar (21 GW), hydroelectric (14 GW), and wind (27 GW). The highest concentration of wind turbines in Spain is found in the regions of Castilla y León, Aragón, Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia, while solar power is predominantly concentrated in Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. Spain aims to achieve 74% of its power generation from renewable sources by 2030.

4. Greece

Greece’s installed photovoltaic capacity surpasses that of other renewable energies, though its figures remain relatively low compared to other countries. Photovoltaic power leads the market with a capacity of 6 GW. By the end of 2023, Greece had installed a total of 72,500 solar power generation systems. Second is wind power, with a capacity of 4 GW, due to the construction of new wind farms in 2021.

5. Portugal

Portugal is firmly committed to renewable energies and has achieved 80% of its power consumption from renewable sources on multiple occasions. Wind power is the dominant source with 5 GW of installed capacity, followed closely by hydroelectric power at 4 GW and solar power at 3 GW.

6. Belgium

Belgium is transitioning from a nuclear-based energy market to one focused on renewables. However, its small size presents challenges for the installation of wind farms. Belgium’s commitment is centered on photovoltaic power, with 7 GW of installed capacity, compared to 5 GW of onshore and offshore wind power.

7. United States

The United States ranks second in the world for installed green energy but remains the second most polluting country, as fossil fuels still account for 79% of the energy consumed. The main renewable energies in the United States are wind, with over 133 GW of installed capacity, and solar, with 113 GW. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are 5 million solar installations, with more than half of them having been added since 2020. Currently, 7% of all households have solar energy, and this is projected to increase to 15% by 2030. The annual climate impact of this energy is equivalent to planting 3.3 billion trees, similar to those in Kentucky. Texas leads in wind energy generation with over 15,000 wind turbines, producing between 10% and 11% of the total electricity in the United States.

8. Switzerland

Hydropower has historically been Switzerland’s primary source of renewable electricity. However, solar power has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increased financial subsidies. Today, renewable energies account for approximately a quarter of Switzerland’s total energy consumption. The installed capacity is evenly distributed between solar power and hydroelectric power, each contributing 4 GW.

9. Italy

Last year, Italy achieved a record in renewable energy generation, particularly in solar and wind power. Wind farms generated 23.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy, while solar panels produced 30.6 TWh. Solar energy capacity is nearly double that of both hydroelectric and wind energy combined. Despite renewable energy meeting 37% of energy demand, it is still well short of the 70% target set for 2030.

10. Japan

The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster significantly accelerated the push for renewable energy development in Japan. Today, renewable energy sources account for 20% of Japan’s total electricity, with a goal of increasing this to 36-38% by 2030. Solar power leads with an installed capacity of over 79 GW, followed by hydroelectric power with 22 GW and wind power with 4 GW. Japan’s mountainous topography, susceptibility to natural disasters, and high population density pose challenges for installing wind and solar power farms. As a result, the country is increasingly turning to offshore wind farms to meet its renewable energy goals.

The implementation of renewable energies is crucial for smart cities to reduce pollution, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create more sustainable urban environments. Next November 5-7 in Barcelona, Spain, professionals from different fields who work in urban development will meet at Smart City Expo World Congress to shape better cities for both the planet and society.

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Methodology 

• Analysed the countries which are net-importing biocapacity through trade, liquidating national ecological assets or emitting more carbon dioxide waste into the atmosphere than their own ecosystems can absorb – Source
• To determine the generation of energy coming from solar power we looked at the capacity in 2022 – Source
• To determine the generation of energy coming from hydraulic power we looked at the following information – Source
• To determine the generation of power coming from wind we looked at the capacity in 2021 – Source
• These figures were summed to obtain the total renewable power generated and levelled by identifying the energy generated by 100,000 per capita.
• All the data was gathered in July and August 2024.