Clean power installations outstripped fossil fuel and nuclear plants in 2014, backed by widespread policy support
More than half of power capacity installed in 2014 was renewable (Pic: Flickr/Land Rover Our Planet)
By Megan Darby
Last year was characterised by slumping oil prices and continued global economic growth – so how did renewable energy fare?
Well, according to the REN21 Global Status Report, it kept growing – helping to stall greenhouse gas emissions.
Wind, solar, hydro and other renewable sources made up 59% of new power generation capacity installed in 2014.
China, the US and Brazil topped the table for total clean generation, while Denmark, Germany and Sweden had the most per head.
In the heat and transport sectors, progress was slower, with some policies supporting biofuels and electric vehicles.
Investment across renewable power and fuels was up 17% on 2013, to US$270 billion.
In early 2015, 164 countries had renewable energy targets and 145 had policies to support the sector. These include many in the developing world that had no such targets a decade ago.
In early 2015, 164 countries had renewable energy targets and 145 had policies to support the sector
Renewables have reached 19.1% of global energy consumption. Nearly half of that figure comes from burning wood or other biomass, typically in household cooking fires or stoves.
Renewables make up an estimated 19.1% of global energy consumption
In the power sector, renewables account for more than a quarter (27.7%) of installed capacity and 22.8% of generation.
Hydro is the biggest source of renewable electricity