UNEP: Global Renewable Energy Continues to Grow in 2011

According to the report of the UN Environment Agency, the share of renewable energy in the global energy industry continues to grow and this trend will continue in 2011.

UN website, July 13: The 2011 Renewable Energy Status Report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-supported Global Renewable Policy Network (REN21) shows that despite the global economic recession continuing Incentive measures are not as good as before and natural gas prices remain low, but global renewable energy sources continue to maintain growth.

The report pointed out: Today, more and more people are starting to use renewable energy, while the price of renewable energy continues to decline, and the proportion of global energy continues to grow. The figures show that in 2010, renewable energy has accounted for 16% of the total global energy consumption, accounting for nearly 20% of the world's total electricity generation.

The report shows that compared with 2009, the global solar PV production and market in 2010 more than doubled. Among them, only Germany's installed solar energy equipment exceeds the worldwide total of 2009. The photovoltaic market in Japan and the United States also doubled compared to 2009.

The report pointed out that at least 119 countries in the world have formulated policies to support the development of renewable energy at the national level, and half of them are developing countries.

In 2010, investment in renewable energy reached US$211 billion, and developing countries’ investment in this area exceeds that of developed countries for the first time. China's investment in investment accounts for one-third of the total investment, reaching US$48.5 billion. China is a world leader in the installation of wind turbines and solar thermal systems and hydroelectric power generation.