Choose the options that best complete the passage.
A Safer Future with Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources like biomass, wind, solar and hydroelectric energy can meet the world's energy demand as they provide energy services based on locally available resources. In other words, renewable energy sources are (26) _______ and all around us. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. According to research by the United Nations, these green energy sources currently supply (27) _______– 15 to 20% of the world's total energy demand. This supply is dominated by biomass (mostly wood used for cooking and heating - especially in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America) as well as large hydropower stations providing nearly 20% of the global electricity supply (28) _______ by renewable sources.
Renewables are now not only available in most countries but also cheaper than fossil fuels. A transition to (29) _______ energy systems is looking increasingly likely as their costs have dropped while the prices of fossil fuels like oil and gas continue to fluctuate. For example, the cost of electricity from solar power fell (30) _______ 85% between 2010 and 2020 while the costs of onshore and offshore wind energy fell by 56% and 48%, respectively. It is estimated that cheap electricity from renewable sources could provide 65% of the world's total electricity supply by 2030.
