Renewable energy use is growing much faster than 10% per year
throughout the world, according to a new report from the Renewable
Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). Excluding large
hydropower, the global electric generating capacity of renewable
energy facilities reached 237 gigawatts (GW) this year, up 15% from
last year. That's about 5.5% of the electric generating capacity
throughout the world. At 93 GW, wind power provided about 40% of that
renewable generating capacity; wind power capacity increased by 25%
over 2006. Grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems reached 7.8 GW in
capacity, a 56% increase, while the global production of photovoltaic
systems reached 3.8 GW per year, a 52% increase over 2006.
Colin Bennett on 14 May 09The REN21 Renewables Global Status Report released today shows that the fundamental transition of the world's energy markets continues. Solar heating capacity increased by 15 percent to 145 gigawatts-thermal (GWth), while biodiesel and ethanol production both increased by 34 percent. More renewable energy than conventional power capacity was added in both the European Union and United States for the first time ever.