Visualized: How Much Metal is Used in Clean Energy
Technology?
How Much Metal is Used in Clean Energy?
In 2022, a record 12% of all global power was harnessed from solar and
wind, up from 10% in 2021, underscoring the growth of clean energy
sources.
Essential minerals that form the foundation of clean energy
technologies are at the heart of this transition. But what makes these
minerals so indispensable?
This infographic, sponsored by Teck,
looks at how much, and what types of metals are used in clean energy.
Clean Energy Uses More Metal
Clean energy systems, on average, require more minerals to build.
Let’s take a look at the amount needed for wind and solar
applications.
| |
Offshore wind |
Onshore wind |
Solar PV |
|
Copper |
8,000 kg/MW |
2,900 kg/MW |
2,822 kg/MW |
|
Zinc |
5,500 kg/MW |
5,500 kg/MW |
30 kg/MW |
|
Manganese |
790 kg/MW |
780 kg/MW |
- |
|
Chromium |
525 kg/MW |
470 kg/MW |
- |
|
Nickel |
240 kg/MW |
404 kg/MW |
1 kg/MW |
|
Rare Earths |
239 kg/MW |
14 kg/MW |
- |
|
Molybdenum |
109 kg/MW |
99 kg/MW |
- |
|
Silicon |
- |
- |
3,948 kg/MW |
|
Others |
6 kg/MW |
- |
32 kg/MW |
Offshore wind uses the largest amount of metals here, with its copper
demand alone reaching around 8,000 kilograms per megawatt of energy.
A Closer Look at Copper
Copper is the world’s third most used industrial metal and is
essential for clean energy technologies due to its outstanding
conductivity, versatility, and superior heat dissipation capabilities
compared to other metals.
Copper’s sustainability credentials are also firmly established. This
is due to its recyclability rate of 100%, meaning it can be reused
multiple times without any decline in performance.
Growing clean energy infrastructure will place even
more significant demands on copper. A wind farm can contain between 4
million and 15 million pounds of
copper.
A Closer Look at Zinc
Zinc is renowned as one of
the most versatile and vital elements in human applications. It stands
as the fourth most used metal worldwide, following iron, aluminum, and
copper.
Its primary application is in the galvanization process, where it acts
as a protective layer for iron and steel against corrosion.
Zinc coatings play a crucial role in public transportation and
infrastructure by extending the life of steel used in bridge rails,
support structures, railway tracks, and more.
The construction of solar panels and wind turbines has resulted in
additional demand for zinc because these assets are always exposed to
the elements.
A 100MWh solar panel park—capable of powering 110,000
homes—needs 240
tonnes of zinc.
Metals for the Future
As the world moves towards renewable energy sources, copper, and zinc
will remain in high demand.
Teck, being one of the world’s largest producers of copper and zinc,
is dedicated to providing the metals essential for a low-carbon
future.
