Integrated Planning of Net-Zero Power Systems for All

Achieving global net-zero power systems by mid-century is an unprecedented challenge, demanding integrated frameworks that simultaneously address climate mitigation and energy access equity. Here, we present a spatiotemporal resolved global power-system model (0.25°×0.25°, 8,760 hours, and 3.5 billion parameters), which co-optimizes capacity expansion and operational strategies, to explore viable solutions. Our findings demonstrate that a net-zero global power system meeting universal electricity needs for decent living standards worldwide is technically feasible, enabled by 15–20 TW of variable renewable energy (VRE) installations. Abundant VRE resources offer particularly cost-effective electricity access in low-income regions, such as Africa, promoting climate justice. Land use becomes an increasingly critical factor because deploying VRE, especially solar PV, will require over 9 million hectares of land area. Over 80% of the VRE capacity is located within 200 km of load centers. Demand-side management could offer significant annual system cost reductions by 6.5% (∼ $182 billion). Expanding international transmission and removing trade barriers in renewable technologies could also achieve significant cost reductions by 5.6% (∼ $157 billion) and 12.2% (∼ $345 billion), respectively, underscoring the pivotal role of international collaboration in building inclusive and net-zero power systems.