As of now, no country has achieved 100% renewable energy on a large scale for all its energy needs, but there are some notable examples of countries that have made significant progress toward this goal.
1. **Iceland**: Iceland is often cited as a leader in renewable energy. It generates around 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily geothermal and hydroelectric power. The country uses its abundant geothermal resources for both electricity and heating, which contributes to its high percentage of renewable energy use. However, Iceland still imports fossil fuels for transportation and other sectors, so it's not entirely free from non-renewable energy.
2. **Bhutan**: Bhutan is another country making impressive strides. It generates more electricity than it consumes through hydroelectric power and exports the surplus to neighboring countries. This makes it a net exporter of clean energy and helps offset its own carbon emissions. Like Iceland, Bhutan still uses some fossil fuels for transportation and other needs, but its overall energy consumption is largely renewable.
3. **Nepal**: Nepal also relies heavily on hydroelectric power for its electricity. While it's not at 100%, the majority of its electricity comes from hydro sources. The country continues to work on expanding its renewable energy capacity.
4. **Costa Rica**: Costa Rica has made significant efforts to use renewable energy. In recent years, it has been able to run on more than 99% renewable energy for extended periods, thanks to its investments in hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. However, it still uses some fossil fuels and imports electricity at times, so it hasn't fully achieved 100% renewables.
These countries show that it's possible to get very close to 100% renewable energy, but achieving it across all sectors and uses remains a complex challenge. Many of these nations are working towards complete energy independence from non-renewable sources, and their progress is a source of inspiration for others aiming to transition to cleaner energy systems.