Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
BRICS Growth Cuts Clean Energy Share
Coverage from Outlook Business and others
Articles
4
Latest Article
03/01
Active Days
1
Executive Summary
Rapid growth, urbanisation, and industry in BRICS countries are boosting energy demand faster than renewables can grow, keeping fossil fuels dominant
- A two-decade study finds rapid BRICS growth increases energy demand and shifts the mix toward fossil fuels
- Urbanisation concentrates demand in cities and raises the need for reliable power
- Heavy industry such as steel, cement, and chemicals reinforces fossil fuel lock-in
- Renewable gains lag behind growth shocks and recover more slowly after expansions
- Policy support, grid upgrades, storage, and fuel pricing reforms are needed to protect clean energy
- Innovation and low-carbon trade help, but usually not enough to offset short-run fossil fuel gains
- Country paths differ, with Brazil aided by hydropower and bioenergy while Russia, India, China, and South Africa face stronger constraints
Quick Facts
- What: Growth is pushing energy systems toward fossil fuels
- Where: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
- Why: Rising demand, urbanisation, and industrial reliability needs
- Who: BRICS economies and economist Dhyani Mehta
- When: Over more than two decades of data
Featured Article
Dhyani Mehta reports BRICS energy transition dynamics amid two decades of data, highlighting rapid growth and grid constraints.
Additional Articles
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BRICS economies face rising energy demand now in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, risking fossil fuel dominance without early policy and grid investments.
Economist Dhyani Mehta analyzes BRICS energy transitions over two decades, showing rapid growth biases energy choices toward fossil fuels in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
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BRICS economies experience growth driven energy demand shifts toward fossil fuels in the current decade.