Global renewable generation to increase by 1,840TWh in 5 years: IEA

Renewable power generation is expected will continue its rapid growth over the next five years, according to an  IEA report.

The “Medium –Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2012” has determined that over the next five years global power generation from hydropower, solar, wind and other renewable resources will increase by over 40% to 6,400TWh. The report finds that renewable electricity generation should expand by 1,840TWh between 2011 and 2017, nearly 60% more than the 1,160TWh growth found to have taken place between 2005 and 2011.

The study examines in detail 15 key markets for renewable energy, which currently represent about 80% of renewable generation, while identifying and characterising developments that may emerge in other important markets.

Renewable generation will increasingly shift from the OECD to new markets, with non-OECD countries accounting for two-thirds of this growth. Of the 710 GW of new global renewable electricity capacity expected, China accounts for almost 40%. Significant deployment is also expected in the United States, India, Germany and Brazil, among others.

Based on the report, hydropower will continue to account for the majority of renewable generation and it registers the largest absolute growth of +730 TWh of any single renewable technology over 2011-17, largely driven by non-OECD countries.

Onthe other hand, non-hydropower renewable technologies continue to scale up quickly. Between 2011 and 2017, generation from these technologies increases by over 1 100 TWh, with growth equally split between OECD and non-OECD countries.

Onshore wind, bioenergy and solar PV see the largest increases, respectively, in generation after hydropower. Offshore wind and CSP grow quickly from low bases. Geothermal continues to develop in areas with good resources. Ocean technologies take important steps towards commercialisation.

"Renewable energy is expanding rapidly as technologies mature, with deployment transitioning from support-driven markets to new and potentially more competitive segments in many countries," International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said. "Given the emergence of a portfolio of renewable sources as a crucial pillar of the global energy mix, market stakeholders need a clear understanding of the major drivers and barriers to renewable deployment. Based on these factors, this report forecasts global renewable development and, in so doing, provides a key benchmark for both public and private decision makers."

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