The
UNEP report details the global trends regarding investment in sustainable
energy, from renewable energy to the energy efficiency sectors. REN21’s report
analyses the current position of renewable energy throughout the world, from
energy production, heating and refrigeration, and fuel for transport, to a
study of the policies and objectives for promoting renewable energy all over
the world.
In
2009, renewable energy resources represented:
* 25%
of global electricity capacity.
* 18%
of global energy production.
* 60% of
newly-installed power capacity in Europe, and more than 50% in the US.
Experts
predict that in 2010, or 2011 at the latest, there will be more power capacity
from renewables than from non-renewable sources on a global level.
Asia
and Oceania reported a large increase in funds
destined for the production of clean energy. In 2009, China surpassed the US as the country with the greatest
investment in renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on the development of
wind farms, with an increase of 53%.
Africa
and the Middle East underwent a slight increase, and South
America a slight decrease in investment.
The
most significant milestone was reached at the beginning of this year, when a
figure of more than 100 countries with some type of policy related to the
promotion of renewable energy was reached, half of them being developing
countries that are playing an important role in growth of the sector. Only 5
years ago, the figure stood at just 55 countries.
