Renewable or clean energy technologies require larger and more complicated amounts of minerals to produce energy than nuclear and fossil fuel energy generation. For instance, as of 2020, the production of offshore wind energy accounted for the largest volume of minerals required among global energy technologies. Offshore wind energy production's demand for copper alone is as high as 8,000 kilograms per megawatt of energy produced, in addition to requiring nickel, chromium, rare earth minerals, and a significant amount of zinc.
Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type
(in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced)
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Energy Monitor. (June 23, 2021). Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type (in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/
Energy Monitor. "Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type (in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced)." Chart. June 23, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/
Energy Monitor. (2021). Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type (in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/
Energy Monitor. "Volume of Minerals Required for Selected Energy Technologies Worldwide as of 2020, by Type (in Kilograms per Megawatt of Energy Produced)." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Jun 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/
Energy Monitor, Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type (in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Volume of minerals required for selected energy technologies worldwide as of 2020, by type (in kilograms per megawatt of energy produced) [Graph], Energy Monitor, June 23, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1270274/volume-of-minerals-required-for-selected-energy-technologies-worldwide/