Dawn of a global new energy era - con­tinuing trend toward re­new­able energy sources

In 2011, there was again a massive increase in the use of renewable energy worldwide. Global invest­ment in the sector rose by about 17 per cent over 2010 levels, reaching a record high of 257 billion US dollars. This was announced today by the REN21 policy network in its annual Renewables Global Status Report (GSR). Renewable energy now supplies 16.7 per cent of final energy consumption and about 20.3 per cent of global electricity con­sump­tion worldwide.

"These figures are impressive evidence that by trans­forming our national energy system in Germany, we are acting as a global trend­setter. The trans­for­mation of our energy system helps Germany main­tain its role as a pioneer in a dynamic global growth sector that helps us reconcile climate change miti­gation, energy security and sustain­able growth," said German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier.

German De­vel­op­ment Minister Dirk Niebel added, "The global shift toward renew­able energy has become reality. Germany has helped to bring this about through its activities in developing and emerging economies. For one thing, we have paved the way for re­new­able energy by providing advice and support to our partners as they created the requisite institutional frame­work. In addition, we are pursuing practical re­new­able energy projects in our partner countries which are now helping to boost the sector."

Total investment in the sector was 40 billion US dollars higher than invest­ment in fossil energy generation capa­city. The number of countries that have adopted targets for the expansion of re­new­able energy has risen again, reaching 118. More than half of them are developing countries. Growth in the re­new­able energy sector mainly took place in China, the U.S., and Germany, as well as Spain, Italy, India, and Japan.

The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) is a global net­work that was formed in 2005 after the "renewables 2004" conference in Bonn. It unites govern­ments, in­ter­na­ti­o­nal organisations and non-governmental organisations as well as repre­sen­tatives of the private sector, the financial sector, and civil society organisations from the energy, environ­ment and de­vel­op­­ment spheres. REN21 receives financial support from the German Environ­ment and De­vel­op­ment Ministries.