REN21 renewables global status report was released on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 in Paris, showing positive growth in energy transformation despite the challenges of financial crisis and economic slowdown.
The report shows a
16 percent growth in global power capacity from new renewable energy sources (excluding large hydro) – a rise to 280,000 megawatts (MW) in 2008 from the 240,000 MW in 2007.
Mohamed El-Ashry, chairman of REN21 said, “This fourth edition of REN21’s renewable energy report comes in the midst of an historic and global economic crisis.”
“The recent growth of the sector has surpassed all predictions, even those made by the industry itself,” added El-Ashry, adding that much of this growth was due to more favourable policies amidst increasing concerns about climate change and energy security.
Key highlights of the report are:
- Solar energy continued to report a positive outlook during the period with solar heating capacity showing an increment of 15 percent to 145 gigawatts-thermal (GWth). Grid-connected solar PV continued to be the fastest growing power generation technology, with a 70 percent increase in existing capacity to reach 13 GW. The report shows Europe set new records by Germany recording new growth in solar hot water in 2008, with over 200,000 systems installed. In addition, Spain set new records in PV with 2.6 GW of new grid-tied installations. Meanwhile, India also emerged in 2008 as a major producer of solar PV, with new policies leading to $18 billion in new manufacturing investment plans.
- In wind energy, existing wind power capacity grew by 29 percent in 2008 to reach 121 GW, or more than double the 59 GW of capacity in place at the end of 2005. A new record was set again by China, doubling its wind power capacity for the fifth year in a row, ending 2008 at 12 GW, and breaching its 2010 development target of 10 GW two years early.
- The report shows direct geothermal energy (ground source heat pumps) is now used in at least 76 countries. In addition, geothermal power capacity surpassed 10 GW in 2008, led by the United States.
- Major paradigm policy shift among the many new renewable energy targets was set in 2008, Brazil’s energy plan sought to slightly increase through 2030 its existing share of primary energy from renewable energy (46 percent in 2007), and its electricity share (87 percent in 2007). Australia set a target of 45 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity by 2020. India increased its target to 14 GW of new renewables capacity by 2012. Japan set new targets for 14 GW of solar PV by 2020 and 53 GW by 2030.
- The report concludes that more renewable energy than conventional power capacity was added in both the European Union and United States for the first time ever.
“Now is not the time to relax policies that support a global, expanding renewable energy sector. By maintaining – and expanding – these policies, governments, industry and society will reap substantial economic and environmental rewards when the economic rebound requires energy markets to meet rapidly increasing demand”, stressed El-Ashry.
The report adds that the EU formally adopted its target to reach a 20 percent share of renewable energy in final consumption by 2020, setting also country-specific targets for all member states. Also, a number of governments enacted new policies, and many countries set ambitious targets.
Related LinkRenewables Global Status Report 2009
