Renewable energy performs well despite economic recession

Washington D.C., United States — ESI-AFRICA.COM — 08 September 2011 – On an international basis, the renewable energy sector, including the hydropower sector, is continuing to perform well despite continuing economic recession, incentive cuts and low natural gas prices.

The newly released REN21 Renewables 2011 Global Status Report released here shows that in 2010 renewable energy supplied an estimated 16% of global final energy consumption, and delivered close to 20% of global electricity production. Renewable capacity, including hydropower, now comprises about a quarter of total global power-generating capacity.

The report “’ authored by World-watch Institute senior fellow Janet Sawin, in collaboration with a global network of research partners “’ added that including large and small hydropower (an estimated 30,000MW added in 2010), renewable energy accounted for approximately 50% of total added power-generating capacity in 2010. In the same year, existing solar water and space heating capacity increased by an estimated 16%.

The report was commissioned by the Paris-based Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, also known as REN21.