RENEWABLES 2015

GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

KEY FINDINGS

2015
RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY
NETWORK FOR THE 21 st CENTURY
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3
REN 21 STEERING COMMITTEE
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS NGOS
Ernesto Macías Galán Bindu Lohani Irene Giner-Reichl
Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Asian Development Bank (ADB) Global Forum on Sustainable Energy
Todd Foley Piotr Tulej (GFSE)
American Council on Renewable Energy European Commission (EC) Sven Teske
(ACORE) Robert K. Dixon Greenpeace International
Li Junfeng Global Environment Facility (GEF) Emani Kumar
Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Paolo Frankl ICLEI – Local Governments for
Association (CREIA) International Energy Agency (IEA) Sustainability, South Asia
Kane Thornton Adnan Z. Amin Tetsunari Iida
Clean Energy Council (CEC) International Renewable Energy Agency Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes (IRENA) (ISEP)
European Renewable Energies Federation Marcel Alers Tomas Kaberger
(EREF) United Nations Development Programme Japan Renewable Energy Foundation
Steve Sawyer (UNDP) (JREF)
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) Ibrahim Togola
Mark Radka
Mali Folkecenter / Citizens United for
Marietta Sander United Nations Environment Programme
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
International Geothermal Association (IGA) (UNEP)
(CURES)
Richard Taylor Pradeep Monga
Harry Lehmann
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World Council for Renewable Energy
(IHA) Organisation (UNIDO)
(WCRE)
Heinz Kopetz Anita Marangoly George
Athena Ronquillo Ballesteros
World Bioenergy Association (WBA) World Bank
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Stefan Gsänger
Rafael Senga
World Wind Energy Association (WWEA)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

MEMBERS AT LARGE NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

Michael Eckhart Mariangela Rebuá de Andrade Simões Nebojsa Nakicenovic
Citigroup, Inc. Brazil International Institute for Applied Systems
Mohamed El-Ashry Hans Jørgen Koch Analysis (IIASA)
United Nations Foundation Denmark David Renné
David Hales Tania Rödiger-Vorwerk / Ursula Borak International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
Second Nature Germany Kevin Nassiep
Kirsty Hamilton Tarun Kapoor South African National Energy
Chatham House India Development Institute (SANEDI)

Peter Rae Øivind Johansen Rajendra Pachauri

REN Alliance Norway The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

Arthouros Zervos Lorena Prado

National Technical University of Athens Spain
(NTUA) Paul Mubiru EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Uganda Christine Lins
Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi REN21
United Arab Emirates
Nick Clements
United Kingdom

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4
KEY FINDINGS 2015 INTRODUCTION

There has been a rising awareness worldwide that renewable Policy support for renewables has contributed to a growth in
energy and energy efficiency are critical not only for market volume and to strong global competition. Significant
addressing climate change, but also for creating new economic cost reductions, especially for solar PV and wind power, have
opportunities and for providing energy access to the billions of played a part in the increasing electrification of transportation
people still living without modern energy services. Over the past and heating applications, highlighting the potential for further
decade, and particularly in recent years, advances in renewable overlap among the sectors in the future. In many countries,
energy technologies, global increases in capacity, and rapid renewables are broadly competitive with conventional fuels,
cost reductions have been due largely to policy support, which particularly in the power sector.
has attracted significant investment and has further driven down
In developing countries, distributed renewable energy systems
costs through economies of scale.
offer an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the transition
Renewable energy continued to grow in 2014 against the to modern energy services and to increase energy access.
backdrop of increasing global energy consumption and a Although the falling costs of solar PV have rendered the
dramatic decline in oil prices during the second half of the year. technology the most economical source of power for off-grid
In 2014, renewable energy expanded significantly in terms of electrification, access to up-front financing or the necessary
capacity installed and energy produced, with renewable energy equipment continued to be major barriers in 2014.
investments in the power sector outpacing net investments in
It is clear that renewables have become a mainstream energy
fossil fuel power plants. The most rapid growth and the largest
resource. The penetration and use of both variable and non-
increase in renewable capacity occurred in the power sector and
variable renewables are increasing, thereby contributing to
was dominated by three technologies: wind, solar photovoltaic
diversification of the energy mix. Many renewable energy
(PV), and hydropower.
technologies have experienced rapid expansion; however,
Development of renewable heating, cooling, and transport still growth in renewables capacity as well as improvements in
lags behind that of renewable power. Low fossil fuel prices, energy efficiency are below the rates necessary to achieve the
ongoing fossil fuel subsidies, and competition with other possible Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goals of doubling the level
investments, such as energy efficiency improvements and other of renewable energy, doubling the global rate of improvement
renewable energy systems, further slowed the potential of the in energy efficiency, and providing universal energy access by
renewable heat sector. Despite multiple potential entry points 2030.
for renewable energy in the transportation sector, development
has been limited, and the primary focus of policies, markets, and
industries has been on liquid biofuels.
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GLOBAL OVERVIEW POWER: MORE RENEWABLES CAPACITY ADDED
THAN COAL AND GAS COMBINED
Renewable energy continued to grow in 2014 against the Renewables represented approximately 58.5% of net additions
backdrop of increasing global energy consumption, particularly to global power capacity in 2014, with significant growth in all
in developing countries, and a dramatic decline in oil prices regions. Wind, solar PV, and hydro power dominated the mar-
during the second half of the year. Despite rising energy use, ket. By year’s end, renewables comprised an estimated 27.7%
for the first time in four decades, global carbon emissions of the world’s power generating capacity, enough to supply an
associated with energy consumption remained stable in 2014 estimated 22.8% of global electricity.
while the global economy grew; this stabilisation has been Variable renewables are achieving high levels of penetration in
attributed to increased penetration of renewable energy and to several countries. In response, policymakers in some jurisdic-
improvements in energy efficiency. tions are requiring utilities to update their business models and
Globally, there is growing awareness that increased grid infrastructure. Australia, Europe, Japan, and North America
deployment of renewable energy (and energy efficiency) is have seen significant growth in numbers of residential “pro-
critical for addressing climate change, creating new economic sumers”—electricity customers who produce their own power.
opportunities, and providing energy access to the billions of Major corporations and institutions around the world made sub-
people still living without modern energy services. Although stantial commitments in 2014 to purchase renewable electricity
discussion is limited to date, renewables also are an important or to invest in their own renewable generating capacity.
element of climate change adaptation, improving the resilience
of existing energy systems and ensuring delivery of energy HEATING AND COOLING: SLOW GROWTH
services under changing climatic conditions. BUT VAST POTENTIAL—KEY FOR THE ENERGY
Renewable energy provided an estimated 19.1% of global TRANSITION
final energy consumption in 2013, and growth in capacity and About half of total world final energy consumption in 2014 went
generation continued to expand in 2014. Heating capacity grew to providing heat for buildings and industry, with modern re-
at a steady pace, and the production of biofuels for transport newables (mostly biomass) generating approximately 8% of this
increased for the second consecutive year, following a slowdown share. Renewable energy also was used for cooling, a small but
in 2011–2012. The most rapid growth, and the largest increase rapidly growing sector. The year saw further integration of re-
in capacity, occurred in the power sector, led by wind, solar PV, newables into district heating and cooling systems, particularly
and hydropower. in Europe; the use of district systems to absorb heat generated
by renewable electricity when supply exceeds demand; and
Growth has been driven by several factors, including renewable
the use of hybrid systems to serve different heat applications.
energy support policies and the increasing cost-competiveness
Despite such innovations and renewables’ vast potential in this
of energy from renewable sources. In many countries,
renewables are broadly competitive with conventional energy sector, growth has been constrained by several factors, includ-
sources. At the same time, growth continues to be tempered ing a relative lack of policy support.
by subsidies to fossil fuels and nuclear power, particularly in
TRANSPORT: DRIVEN BY BIOFUELS, WITH
developing countries.
E-MOBILITY GROWING RAPIDLY
Although Europe remained an important market and a centre In the transport sector, the primary focus of policies, markets,
for innovation, activity continued to shift towards other and industries has been on liquid biofuels. The share of renew-
regions. China again led the world in new renewable power ables in transportation remains small, with liquid biofuels repre-
capacity installations in 2014, and Brazil, India, and South senting the vast majority. Advances in new markets and in ap-
Africa accounted for a large share of the capacity added in plications for biofuels—such as commercial flights being fuelled
their respective regions. An increasing number of developing by aviation biofuel—continued in 2014. Relatively small but in-
countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America became creasing quantities of gaseous biofuels, including biomethane,
important manufacturers and installers of renewable energy
also are being used to fuel vehicles. Increased electrification of
technologies.
trains, light rail, trams, and both two- and four-wheeled electric
In parallel with growth in renewable energy markets, 2014 saw vehicles is creating greater opportunities for the integration of
significant advances in the development and deployment of renewable energy into transport.
energy storage systems across all sectors. The year also saw
the increasing electrification of transportation and heating
applications, highlighting the potential for further overlap among
these sectors in the future.

6
AN EVOLVING POLICY LANDSCAPE RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICIES FOR HEATING
AND COOLING
Renewable energy developments in 2014 continued to be shaped Less-prevalent than policies for renewable power
largely by government policy. Renewables faced challenges in Policies for renewable heating and cooling are slowly gaining
some countries resulting from policy changes or uncertainties, attention from national policymakers. An estimated 45 countries
such as the imposition of new taxes on renewable generation in worldwide had targets for renewable heating or cooling in place
Europe and the expiration of the US federal production tax credit. by early 2015. Financial incentives continued to be the most
However, the number of countries with renewable energy targets widely enacted form of policy support for renewable heating
and policies increased again in 2014, and several jurisdictions and cooling systems, with several schemes reintroduced
made their existing targets more ambitious—including a rising and existing programmes strengthened. Other policy tools
number with 100% renewable energy or electricity targets. As of include solar-specific renewable heat mandates, which were
early 2015, at least 164 countries had renewable energy targets, in place in 11 countries at the national or state/provincial level,
and an estimated 145 countries had renewable energy support and technology-neutral mandates, which were in place in an
policies in place. additional 10 countries by early 2015.
Policymakers continued to focus on adapting existing policies
RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSPORT POLICIES
to keep pace with rapidly changing costs and circumstances.
Renewable transport is on the move
Recent trends include merging of components from different
policy mechanisms; a growing linkage of support between the The majority of transport-related policies continued to focus
electricity, heat, and transport sectors; and development of on the biofuel sector and on road transport, although other
innovative mechanisms to integrate rising shares of renewables modes of transportation also are attracting attention. Policies
into the energy mix. promoting the linkage between electric vehicles and renewable
energy have received little focus to date. As of early 2015,
RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICIES FOR ELECTRICITY biofuel blend mandates were in place in 33 countries, with 31
Combined policies to accompany structural changes national mandates and 26 state/provincial mandates. A number
Policymakers have focused predominantly on the power sector, of countries strengthened existing blend mandates in 2014;
a trend that has shaped the current landscape. Feed-in and however, the debate over the sustainability of first-generation
Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policies remain the most biofuels continued.
commonly used support mechanisms. Feed-in policies have
CITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RENEWABLE
been enacted in 108 jurisdictions at the national or state/
ENERGY POLICIES
provincial level. Egypt was the only country to add a new national
Local municipalities take the lead
FIT, with policymakers—particularly in Europe—continuing the
recent trend of amending existing policies. RPS policies are Cities continued to lead the way, setting and achieving ambitious
most popular at the state and provincial levels; they are in place targets and helping to drive the trends of national and regional
in at least 26 countries at the national level and in 72 states/ governments. By early 2015, several jurisdictions had 100%
provinces. However, existing RPS policies continued to face renewable energy or electricity targets in place, with the vast
opposition in several US States. Tendering has been utilised majority of targets at the city/local level. Many municipalities
increasingly around the world; at least 60 countries had held already have achieved such targets.
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

renewable energy tenders as of early 2015. Net metering or net To reach their goals, policymakers in cities around the world
billing policies are in force in 48 countries, and some form of continued a growing trend of mandating the use of renewable
financial support for renewables is in place in an estimated 126 power generation and renewable heat technologies through
countries. building codes. Development of district systems has emerged
Traditional mechanisms also are being used to increase as an important measure to facilitate the scale-up of renewable
energy storage capacity and to modernise grid infrastructure. energy for heating and cooling. Public-private partnerships
In addition to traditional support mechanisms, green banks are being used increasingly to advance renewable energy
and green bonds represent innovative options that are gaining deployment, and thousands of US and European municipalities
support from policymakers. Despite the growing prominence of have created community power systems. Policymakers also
renewable energy support policies for power generation globally, continued to use their purchasing authority to support local
however, charges or fees on renewable energy have been deployment of renewable energy in all economic sectors,
introduced in an increasing number of countries. including integrating biofuel and electric vehicles into
public transportation fleets and developing related support
infrastructure.

7
MARKET AND INDUSTRY TRENDS Innovations also include variable speed technology for new
and refurbished pumped storage plants, which assist in further
Markets for all renewable energy technologies advanced in integration of variable renewable resources.
2014, with wind power and solar PV taking the lead for capacity
OCEAN ENERGY: TEMPERED PROGRESS BUT FULL
additions.
OF PROMISE
BIOMASS ENERGY: BIOMASS FOR HEAT, POWER, Ocean energy capacity, mostly tidal power generation, remained
AND TRANSPORT at about 530 MW in 2014. Virtually all new installations were in
Bio-heat production remained stable in 2014, increasing 1% some form of pilot or demonstration projects. Two prominent wave
over 2013. Composition of bio-heat portfolios continued to vary energy development companies faced strong headwinds. The
widely by region, ranging from large-scale production in industry EU Ocean Energy Forum was launched with the aim of bringing
(e.g., in the United States) to vast numbers of residential-scale together stakeholders for problem solving and co-operation on
bio-digesters (e.g., in China). Global bio-power production ocean energy. Technology development continued in various
increased approximately 9%, with China, Brazil, and Japan test sites, with tidal and wave energy devices having advanced
leading for capacity additions, and the United States and the most of all ocean energy technologies to date.
Germany leading for generation (despite comparatively smaller
capacity additions). SOLAR PV: RAPID SPREAD TO NEW MARKETS
Liquid biofuel production was up 9% in 2014, reaching its highest Solar PV is starting to play a substantial role in electricity
level to date. Although the United States and Brazil dominated generation in some countries as rapidly falling costs have made
overall volume, Asia experienced particularly high production unsubsidised solar PV-generated electricity cost-competitive
growth rates. Policy positively influenced biofuel markets where with fossil fuels in an increasing number of locations around the
blending mandates increased demand, but policy uncertainty, world. In 2014, solar PV marked another record year for growth,
particularly in Europe, the United States and Australia, had with an estimated 40 GW installed for a total global capacity of
negative effects on industry. Low oil prices in the second half about 177 GW.
of the year had some positive effects, particularly in feedstock China, Japan, and the United States accounted for the vast
production, but reduced turnover for some bioenergy businesses. majority of new capacity. Even so, the distribution of new
Trade patterns in both solid and liquid fuels saw some shifts installations continued to broaden, with Latin America seeing
in 2014, with a considerable share of North American wood rapid growth, significant new capacity added in several African
pellets flowing to Asia, reducing the domination of flows to countries, and new markets picking up in the Middle East.
European markets. The share of traded biofuels destined for Although most EU markets declined for the third consecutive
Europe declined slightly, while new markets (particularly for fuel year, the region—particularly Germany—continued to lead the
ethanol) expanded in other regions. world in terms of total solar PV capacity and contribution to the
electricity supply.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: SLOW BUT STEADY GROWTH The solar PV industry recovery that began in 2013 continued in
About 640 megawatts (MW) of new geothermal power 2014, thanks to a strong global market. Consolidation among
generating capacity came on line, for a total approaching 12.8 manufacturers continued, although the flood of bankruptcies
gigawatts (GW), producing an estimated 74 terawatt-hours seen over the past few years slowed to a trickle. To meet the
(TWh) in 2014. The largest share of new geothermal power rising demand, new cell and module production facilities opened
capacity came on line in Kenya, underscoring the growing (or were announced) around the world.
emphasis on geothermal energy in East Africa. An estimated
1.1 gigawatts-thermal (GWth) of geothermal direct use (heat) CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER (CSP):
capacity was added in 2014 for a total of 20.4 GWth; output DIVERSIFYING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
was an estimated 263 petajoules (PJ) in 2014 (73 TWh). Over The CSP market remains less established than most other
the past five years, total power capacity has grown at an average renewable energy markets. Nonetheless, the sector continued
annual rate of 3.6%, and heat capacity at an estimated 5.9%. its near-decade of strong growth with total capacity increasing
The geothermal industry continues to face significant project 27% to 4.4 GW. Although parabolic trough plants continued to
development risk; various efforts are under way to ameliorate represent the bulk of existing capacity, 2014 was notable for
such risks in developed and developing countries. the diversification of technologies in operation, with the world’s
largest linear Fresnel and tower plants coming on line.
HYDROPOWER: STILL GIANT AMONG ITS PEERS
An estimated 37 GW of new hydropower capacity Only the United States and India added CSP facilities to their
was commissioned in 2014, bringing total global capacity to grids in 2014. However, CSP activity continued in most regions,
approximately 1,055 GW. Generation in 2014 is estimated at with South Africa and Morocco the most active markets in terms
3,900 TWh. China (22 GW) installed the most capacity by far, with of construction and planning. Spain remained the global leader
significant capacity also added in Brazil, Canada, Turkey, India, in existing capacity.
and Russia. The industry continued innovation towards ever- Stagnation of the Spanish market and an expected deceleration
more flexible, efficient, and reliable facilities. Demand for greater of the US market after a bumper year fuelled further industry
efficiency and lower generating costs have contributed to ever- consolidation. However, costs are declining, particularly in
larger generating units, including some 800 MW turbines. There the global sunbelt, a large variety of technologies are under
also is significant demand for refurbishment of existing plants development, and thermal energy storage (TES) is becoming
to improve the efficiency of output, as well as environmental increasingly important and remains the focus of extensive
performance in the face of new regulatory requirements. research and development (R&D).

8
RENEWABLE ENERGY INDICATORS 2014
START 20041 2013 2014

INVESTMENT

New investment (annual)

billion USD 45 232 270
in renewable power and fuels2

POWER

Renewable power capacity

GW 85 560 657
(total, not including hydro)
Renewable power capacity
GW 800 1,578 1,712
(total, including hydro)
Hydropower capacity (total)3 GW 715 1,018 1,055
Bio-power capacity GW <36 88 93
Bio-power generation TWh 227 396 433
Geothermal power capacity GW 8.9 12.1 12.8
Solar PV capacity (total) GW 2.6 138 177
Concentrating solar thermal power (total) GW 0.4 3.4 4.4
Wind power capacity (total) GW 48 319 370

HEAT

Solar hot water capacity (total)4 GWth 86 373 406

TRANSPORT

Ethanol production (annual) billion litres 28.5 87.8 94

Biodiesel production (annual) billion litres 2.4 26.3 29.7

POLICIES

Countries with policy targets # 48 144 164

States/provinces/countries with
# 34 106 108
feed-in policies
States/provinces/countries with
# 11 99 98
RPS/quota policies
Countries with
# n/a 55 60
tendering/ public competitive bidding 5
Countries with heat obligation/mandate # n/a 19 21
States/provinces/countries with
# 10 63 64
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

biofuels mandates 6

1
Capacity data are as of the beginning of 2004; other data, such as investment and biofuels production, cover the full year. Numbers are estimates, based on best
available information.
2
Investment data are from Bloomberg New Energy Finance and include all biomass, geothermal, and wind generation projects of more than 1 MW; all hydro
projects of between 1 and 50 MW; all solar power projects, with those less than 1 MW estimated separately and referred to as small-scale projects or small
distributed capacity; all ocean energy projects; and all biofuel projects with an annual production capacity of 1 million litres or more.
3
The GSR 2014 reported a global total of 1,000 GW of hydropower capacity at the end of 2013; this figure has been revised upwards. Hydropower data do not
include pumped storage capacity.
4
Solar hot water capacity data include water collectors only. The number for 2014 is a preliminary estimate.
5
Data for tendering/public competitive bidding reflect the number of countries that had held tenders at any time up to the year in question, but not necessarily
during that year.
6
Biofuel policies include policies listed both under the biofuels obligation/mandate column in Table 3 (Renewable Energy Support Policies) and in
Reference Table R18 (National and State/Provincial Biofuel Blend Mandates).
Note: All values are rounded to whole numbers except for numbers <15, and biofuels, which are rounded to one decimal point. Policy data for 2014 include all
countries identified as of early 2015.

9
TOP FIVE COUNTRIES
ANNUAL INVESTMENT / NET CAPACITY ADDITIONS / PRODUCTION IN 2014
1 2 3 4 5
Investment in renewable power and
China United States Japan United Kingdom Germany
fuels (not including hydro > 50 MW)
Investment in renewable power
Burundi Kenya Honduras Jordan Uruguay
and fuels per unit GDP1
Geothermal power capacity Kenya Turkey Indonesia Philippines Italy
Hydropower capacity China Brazil Canada Turkey India
Solar PV capacity China Japan United States United Kingdom Germany
CSP capacity United States India – – –
Wind power capacity China Germany United States Brazil India
Solar water heating capacity 2
China Turkey Brazil India Germany
Biodiesel production United States Brazil Germany Indonesia Argentina
Fuel ethanol production United States Brazil China Canada Thailand

TOTAL CAPACITY OR GENERATION AS OF END-2014

1 2 3 4 5

POWER

Renewable power (incl. hydro) China United States Brazil Germany Canada
Renewable power (not incl. hydro) China United States Germany Spain / Italy Japan / India
Renewable power capacity
per capita (among top 20, Denmark Germany Sweden Spain Portugal
not including hydro3)
Biopower generation United States Germany China Brazil Japan
Geothermal power capacity United States Philippines Indonesia Mexico New Zealand
Hydropower capacity 4
China Brazil United States Canada Russia
Hydropower generation 4
China Brazil Canada United States Russia
Concentrating solar thermal United Arab
Spain United States India Algeria
power (CSP) Emirates
Solar PV capacity Germany China Japan Italy United States
Solar PV capacity per capita Germany Italy Belgium Greece Czech Republic
Wind power capacity China United States Germany Spain India
Wind power capacity per capita Denmark Sweden Germany Spain Ireland

HEAT

Solar water collector capacity2 China United States Germany Turkey Brazil
Solar water heating collector Cyprus Austria Israel Barbados Greece
capacity per capita2
Geothermal heat capacity5 China Turkey Japan Iceland India
Geothermal heat capacity Iceland New Zealand Hungary Turkey Japan
per capita 5

1
Countries considered include only those covered by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF); GDP (at purchasers' prices) and population data for 2013 and all from World
Bank. BNEF data include the following: all biomass, geothermal, and wind generation projects of more than 1 MW; all hydropower projects of between 1 and 50 MW; all solar
power projects, with those less than 1 MW estimated separately and referred to as small-scale projects or small distributed capacity; all ocean energy projects; and all biofuel
projects with an annual production capacity of 1 million litres or more.
2
Solar water collector (heating) rankings are for 2013 and are based on capacity of water (glazed and unglazed) collectors only; including air collectors would affect the order
of capacity added, placing the United States slightly ahead of Germany rather than in sixth place, and would not affect the order of top countries for total capacity or per
capita.
3
Per capita renewable power capacity ranking considers only those countries that place among the top 20 worldwide for total installed renewable power capacity, not
including hydropower. Several other countries, including Austria, Finland, Ireland, and New Zealand, also have high per capita levels of non-hydro renewable power capacity,
with Iceland likely the leader among all countries.
4
Country rankings for hydropower capacity and generation differ because some countries rely on hydropower for baseload supply whereas others use it more to follow the
electric load and to match peaks in demand.
5
Not including heat pumps.
Note: Most rankings are based on absolute amounts of investment, power generation capacity or output, or biofuels production; if done on a per capita, national GDP, or other
basis, the rankings would be quite different for many categories (as seen with per capita rankings for renewable power, solar PV, wind, and solar water collector capacity).

10
SOLAR THERMAL HEATING AND COOLING:
NEW MARKETS GROWING, ESTABLISHED MARKETS INVESTMENT FLOWS
SLOWER
GLOBAL INVESTMENT UP IN ALL REGIONS
Deployment of solar thermal technologies continued to slow, due
Global new investment in renewable power and fuels (not
largely to declining markets in Europe and China. Cumulative
including hydropower >50 MW) was up 17% over 2013, to
capacity of water collectors reached an estimated 406 GWth
USD 270.2 billion. Including the unreported investments in
by the end of 2014 (with air collectors adding another 2 GWth),
hydropower projects larger than 50 MW, total new investment
providing approximately 341 TWh of heat annually. China again
in renewable power and fuels reached at least USD 301 billion.
accounted for about 80% of the world market for solar water
Renewables outpaced fossil fuels for the fifth year running in
collectors, followed by Turkey, Brazil, India, and Germany. The
terms of net investment in power capacity additions.
trend continued towards larger domestic water heating systems
in hotels, schools, and other large complexes. There also was This first increase in three years was due in part to a boom in
growing interest in the use of advanced collectors for district solar power installations in China and Japan, as well as to record
heating systems, solar cooling, and industrial applications, investments in offshore wind projects in Europe. All regions of
although advanced systems represent a small fraction of the the world experienced an increase relative to 2013. Investment
global market. in developing countries was up 36% from the previous year to
USD 131.3 billion. Developing country investment came the
In much of Asia, parts of Africa, and Latin America, domestic
closest ever to surpassing the investment total for developed
sales expanded, as did distribution channels, in response to
economies, which reached USD 138.9 billion in 2014, up only
strong market growth in certain segments. By contrast, it was
3% from 2013.
a difficult year for the industry in Europe, where consolidation
continued. China’s industry was troubled by overcapacity due to The most significant dollar increase occurred in China,
weak demand in 2014, but China maintained its long-term lead. which accounted for almost two-thirds of developing country
investment in renewable power and fuels. The Netherlands and
WIND POWER: THE CHEAPEST OPTION FOR NEW Brazil saw the largest percentage increases. Other top countries
POWER GENERATION included the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and
The global wind power market resumed its advance in Germany. Investment continued to spread to new markets
2014, adding a record 51 GW—the most of any renewable throughout 2014, with Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, South
technology—for a year-end total of 370 GW. An estimated 1.7 Africa, and Turkey each investing more than USD 1 billion in
GW of grid-connected capacity was added offshore for a world renewable energy.
total exceeding 8.5 GW.
Solar power and wind were the leading technologies by far in
Wind energy is the least-cost option for new power generating terms of dollars committed, with solar power (mostly solar PV)
capacity in an increasing number of locations, and new markets accounting for more than 55% of new investment in renewable
continued to emerge in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Asia power and fuels (not including hydro >50 MW), and wind power
remained the largest market for the seventh consecutive year, taking 36.8%. Both saw significant increases over 2013: solar
led by China, and overtook Europe in total capacity. The United power investments rose 25% to USD 149.5 billion, and wind
States was the leading country for wind power generation. Wind advanced 11% (to USD 99.5 billion). Overall, in 2014, more than
power met more than 20% of electricity demand in several a quarter of new investment in renewable energy went to small-
countries, including Denmark, Nicaragua, Portugal, and Spain. scale projects (particularly solar PV).
After years of operating in the red, most turbine makers pulled Geothermal power investment grew by 23%, and ocean energy
back into the black with all the top 10 companies breaking (up 100%) also fared well although from a very low level. Other
installation records. Turbine designs for use on- and offshore renewables did less well: biofuels declined 8% to a 10-year low,
continued to evolve to improve wind’s economics in a wider biomass and waste-to-energy dropped 10%, and small-scale
range of wind regimes and operating conditions. hydropower slipped 17%.
All investment types saw increases over 2013, with asset
finance of utility-scale projects accounting for the vast majority
of total investment. The year 2014 also saw the creation of two
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

new South-South development banks: the USD 100 billion

New Development Bank created by the five BRICS countries,
and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank created by 23
Asian countries. The expansion of new investment vehicles
for renewables—such as green bonds, yield companies, and
crowdfunding—have attracted new classes of capital providers
and are helping to reduce the cost of capital for financing
renewable energy projects.

11
DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
FOR ENERGY ACCESS RENEWABLE ENERGY’S TWIN PILLAR
PROVIDING ESSENTIAL AND PRODUCTIVE Special synergies exist between energy efficiency and renewable
SERVICES energy sources in both technical and policy contexts, and across
More than 1 billion people, or 15% of the global population, numerous sectors from buildings and electrical services to
still lack access to electricity. With a total installed capacity of transportation and industry. Although energy intensity (primary
roughly 147 GW, all of Africa has less power generation capacity energy consumption per unit of economic output) has improved
than Germany. Moreover, approximately 2.9 billion people lack globally and in almost all world regions since 1990, there are vast
access to clean forms of cooking. Distributed renewable energy opportunities to improve energy efficiency further in all sectors
technologies are helping to improve these numbers by providing and countries.
essential and productive energy services in remote and rural Drivers for policies to promote efficiency improvements include
areas across the developing world. Renewable technologies advancing energy security, supporting economic growth, and
are playing a large and growing role—via individual household mitigating climate change. In poorer countries, increased
systems and by powering a rapidly growing number of mini- and efficiency can make it easier to provide energy services to those
micro-grids—largely because renewables are cheaper and who lack access. To meet such goals, an increasing number
more convenient than conventional options. of countries has adopted targets and policies to improve the
In addition to the further spread of existing, well-established efficiency of buildings, appliances, transport vehicles, and
technologies (solar home systems, pico-hydro stations, solar industry.
thermal collectors, etc.), 2014 witnessed the evolution of new In 2014, targets were in place at all levels of government, and
types of equipment, configurations, and applications. These numerous countries introduced new policies or updated existing
include simple and inexpensive pico-wind turbines for powering ones in order to achieve their targets. Several jurisdictions
remote telecommunications; solar-powered irrigation kits; and enacted performance requirements or incentives to improve
digitisation of ancillary services and monitoring, which allow building efficiency during 2013 and 2014. Standards and
for improved after-sales services and reduce costs so that labelling programmes are the primary tools to improve the
companies can reach more people. efficiency of appliances and other energy-consuming products,
Several factors have resulted in increased funding (public and and, by 2014, 81 countries had such programmes. By the
private) for distributed renewable energy. These include the end of 2013, standards for electric motors used in industrial
increased recognition that isolated cooking and electricity applications had been introduced in 44 countries. As of late
systems, particularly renewable systems, are the most cost- 2014, vehicle fuel economy standards covered 70% of the
effective options available for providing energy services and world’s light-duty vehicle market.
new economic opportunities to households and businesses in To date, there has been relatively little systematic linking of
remote areas. energy efficiency and renewables in the policy arena. However, a
As such, renewables have become vital elements of rural small but growing number of policies has begun to address them
electrification and clean cooking targets and policies in many in concert, particularly through building-related incentives and
countries. Peru was one of the first countries to prepare economy-wide targets and regulations.
and implement a reverse auction for distributed renewable
energy, finalising a contract in 2014. Several countries
initiated new programmes in 2014 to expand energy access
through renewables—including Chile, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka
advancing renewables for electricity; and Ecuador, Guatemala,
Bangladesh, and India launching initiatives to advance clean
cooking.
Dozens of international actors were involved in advancing energy
access with renewables in 2014, through international initiatives
such as Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), as well as through
bilateral and multi-lateral government programmes. Multilateral
financial institutions and development banks also continued to
finance renewable energy projects in 2014. Alongside traditional
actors, public-private partnerships and non-governmental
organisations are promoting distributed renewables.
Involvement of the private sector is expanding, due largely
to a growing awareness that off-grid, low-income customers
represent fast-growing markets for goods and services.
Distributed renewable systems continued to attract investment
from venture capitalists, commercial banks, and companies in
2014, as well as from less-conventional sources.

12
ANNUAL REPORTING ON RENEWABLES:
TEN YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
The REN21 Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) provides an annual look at the
tremendous advances in renewable energy markets, policy frameworks and industries
globally. Each report uses formal and informal data to provide the most up-to-date
information available. Reliable, timely and regularly updated data on renewables
energy are essential as they are used for establishing baselines for decision makers;
for demonstrating the increasing role that renewables play in the energy sector;
and illustrating that the renewable energy transition is a reality.

This year’s GSR marks 10 years of REN21 reporting. Over the past decade the
GSR has expanded in scope and depth with its thematic and regional coverage
and the refinement of data collection. The GSR is the product of systematic data
collection resulting in thousands of data points, the use of hundreds of documents,
and personal communication with experts from around the world. It benefits
from a multi-stakeholdercommunity of over 500 experts.

Ten years on, the GSR has established itself as the world’s most frequently-
referenced report on the global renewable energy market, industry and policy
landscape.

R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

10
Leading
the Reporting
on Renewables:
Ten years of
YEARS
counting

13
POLICY MAPS
Countries with Renewable Energy Policies and Targets, Early 2015

Countries are
considered to
have policies
when at least
one national
or state /
provincial-
level policy
is in place.

164
Countries with Renewable Energy Policies and Targets, 2005

COUNTRIES
HAD DEFINED
RENEWABLE
ENERGY TARGETS
BY EARLY 2015

Data Source: REN21 Policy Database

14
POLICY TRENDS
Figure 30. Number of Renwable Energy Policies, by Type, 2011 – Early-2015

Number
Figure 30.ofNumber
Countries with Renewable
of Renwable Energy
Number Policies,
of countries
Energy Policies, by Type, byEarly-2015
2011 – Type, 2011–Early 2015
80
Number of countries
70
80 Figure does not show
Power Policies FIT 60 all policy types in use.
70 Countries are considered
Tendering 50 to have policies when
Power Policies FIT
Net metering
60 at least one national or
Tendering 40 state/provincial-level
50
policy is in place.
Heating and Net
Heatmetering
obligation/ 30
40 Countries with multiple
Cooling Policies mandate
20 policies of the same
Heating and Heat obligation/ 30
type (e.g., national
Cooling Policies
Transport mandateobligation/
Biofuels 10 and sub-national FIT
Policies 20
mandate policies) are represented
0 as one unit in the total
Transport Biofuels obligation/ 10 2011 2012 2013 Early 2015
Policies mandate number of countries with
0 that policy type.
2011 2012 2013 Early 2015

Number of Countries with Renewable Energy Heating Figure 34.ofNumber

Number Countriesof Countries with EnergyEnergy
with Renewable Transport

and Cooling Obligations, by Type, 2011– Early 2015 Policies, by Type,
Transport Obligations, 2011 –2011–Early
by Type, Early-2015 2015
Figure 33. Number of Countries with Energy Heating &
Number of countries Countries are
Cooling Policies, by Type, 2011 – Early-2015
70 considered to
have policies
Number of countries
when at least
25 60 one national or
state/provincial-
level policy
50
20 is in place.

40
15
30
10
20 i - Italy's
advanced
5 biofuel blend
10 mandate
is included
in "Other
0 0 transport
2011 2012 2013 Early 2015 2011 2012 2013 Early 2015 i mandates".
Solar Obligation Technology-Neutral Obligation Biodiesel Mandate only Both Biodiesel and Ethanol
Mandates
Ethanol Mandate only
Other Transport Mandates
Figure 31. Share of Countries with Renewable Policies by Income Group, 2004–Early 2015
Countries are considered to have policies when at least
Share of Countries with Renewable Energy Policies by Income Group, one national or state/provincial-level
2004–Early 2015 policy is in place.
High Upper- Lower- Low Figure 31. Share of Countries with Renewable Policies by Income G
income middle middle income
in % income income 82% High
Figure 31. Share of Countries with Renewable Policies by IncomeUpper-
Group, 2004–EarlyLow
20
80 80% income middle mid
in % income inc
80 High Upper- Lower- Lo
Figure 31. Share of Countries with Renewable Policies by Incomemiddle
income Group, 2004–Earlymiddle
2015 in
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

70
in % 67% income income
80 High 70 Upper- Lower- Low
60 Figure 31. Share of Countries with Renewableincome 62%
Policies by Incomemiddle
Group, 2004–Early middle
2015 income
in % income income
70 60
80 High Upper- Lower- Low
50 income middle middle income
in % income income 82%
60 50
70
40 80 80%
50 40
70 60
30 67%
40 30
60 50 62%
20 Declines in income group
shares in specific years
30 20
50 40 are due primarily to countries
10 moving into new income
20 10 groups. Over the period
40 30 2004–2014, 80 countries
0 made a total of 108 changes
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 10
2012 2013 0
Early 2015 in income groups.
30 20
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

0
20 10
Data Source: REN21 Policy Database 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

0 15
10
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Early
MAINSTREAMING RENEWABLES:
KEY FINDINGS FOR POLICYMAKERS
Government support policies and increased cost- CREATE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD TO INCREASE
competitiveness, particularly for electricity generated from COST-COMPETIVENESS
wind and solar photovoltaics (PV), have driven recent renewable Global subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear power remain high
energy development, resulting in changing market conditions despite reform efforts. Estimates range from USD 550 billion
for deployment. Future policies need to respond to emerging (International Energy Agency) to USD 5.6 trillion per year
opportunities and challenges by addressing new developments, (International Monetary Fund), depending on how “subsidy” is
including: the spread of renewable energy deployment to new defined and calculated.
countries, particularly in the developing world; the need to improve
Growth in renewable energy (and energy efficiency
existing energy infrastructure and markets in order to integrate
improvements) is tempered by subsidies to fossil fuels and
high shares of renewable power; and the increasing electrification
nuclear power, particularly in developing countries. Subsidies
of non-power sectors (i.e., heating, cooling, and transport).
keep conventional energy prices artificially low, which makes it
As the Renewables Global Status Report documents, renewables more difficult for renewable energy to compete. Artificially low
play an increasingly central role in the provision of energy services prices also discourage energy efficiency and conservation.
to people globally. The challenge now is to develop the necessary
Creating a level playing field can lead to a more-efficient
policy frameworks to drive the renewable energy transition to
allocation of financial resources, helping to strengthen initiatives
achieve sustainable and universal energy access for all.
to advance the development and implementation of energy
DEVELOP STABLE AND PREDICTABLE POLICIES efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Removing fossil
THAT CAN ADAPT TO A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT fuel and nuclear subsidies globally would reflect more accurately
the true cost of energy generation.
Stability and predictability of policy frameworks are required
to underpin sustained deployment of renewable energy. The Where energy or fuel subsidies focus on consumers, particularly
renewable energy industry needs predictability in order to in developing countries, subsidies should be shifted towards
attract investment, build up production capacity, develop new energy efficiency and renewable energy options.
technologies, and expand the number of sustainable jobs.
RENEWABLE POWER: ENERGY SYSTEM THINKING
However, policies also need to have a degree of flexibility so
IS REQUIRED
that they can accommodate upcoming market developments
and avoid unnecessary public spending. It is essential to avoid To increase shares of variable solar and wind power generation,
abrupt changes in the policy environment (for example, sudden a variety of technologies must be integrated into one resilient
reversal of feed-in policies can have major negative impacts for power supply. Thus, policy programmes should shift away from
the industry). single-technology support schemes towards measures that
support a balanced combination of diverse technologies. Policy
Therefore, transitions towards new policy systems require
and regulatory mechanisms must: support/enable more flexible
full knowledge of coming changes and sufficient time for the
power grids; increase demand-side management; and integrate
industry to adapt its business models.
renewable energy-based power systems with the transport,
buildings, industry, and heating and cooling sectors.
SHOWCASE AND COMMUNICATE THE ABILITY
OF RENEWABLES TO PROVIDE LARGE-SCALE Utilities and grid system operators also play an important role
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY in managing demand and generation in renewable energy-
dominated energy systems. Demand-side management of
Many developing countries are under pressure to rapidly increase
industries, transport systems, and households, as well as the
energy generation capacities to address growing demand,
operation of distributed generation fleets, require different
to meet energy access challenges, and to foster economic
energy policies to support new business models. The deployment
development. Decision makers faced with such pressures often
of new technologies to allow for mainstreaming higher shares
underestimate the potentially significant and rapid contribution
of dispatchable renewable generation is also necessary and
that renewables can make. The successful integration of high
requires new incentives to drive infrastructure investment.
shares of renewables in existing infrastructure in China, Denmark,
Portugal, Spain, and the United States, for example, demonstrates Policymakers should work with utilities and grid system
that the right mix of renewable energy technologies, energy operators, in addition to major energy consumers (e.g., energy-
efficiency improvements, and smart management can provide an intensive industries), to define new policy mechanisms and
affordable and reliable power supply. regulatory structures.
Communicating and learning from such successes and
experiences is important to correct the misperception that
baseload power cannot be provided by a mix of renewable
energy sources.

16
INCREASE SUPPORT TO THE RENEWABLE DRIVE GOOD DECISIONS WITH GOOD DATA
HEATING AND COOLING SECTOR Reliable, timely, and regularly updated data are essential
Globally, heating and cooling accounts for almost half of total for establishing energy plans, defining targets, designing
global energy demand. However, this sector continues to lag far and continuously evaluating policy measures, and attracting
behind the renewable power sector when it comes to policies investment. The data situation for renewable energy—especially
that support technology development and deployment. in the power sector—has improved significantly in recent years.
Building obligations (both for energy efficiency improvements Nonetheless, data availability, accessibility, and quality remain
and deployment of renewable technologies) are central to limited for distributed renewable energy (including modern
increasing the penetration of renewable heating and cooling renewable heat), in particular. Improved and consolidated data
technologies. In addition to buildings, it is important that are required to understand market potential, to drive policy
there are requirements to integrate renewable energy into development, and to attract investors.
industrial and district heating systems. These support not only Policymakers should pay particular attention to improving the
the development of renewable energy heating, but also the data situation on distributed renewable energy in developing
integration of variable power generation, relieving pressure on countries and on renewable energy heating and cooling; due to
power grids. the decentralised nature of these sectors, both present major
Policymakers at all levels of government need to support the data challenges, but they are key to meeting energy access
development of renewable heat given the large share of heat goals and driving the energy transition, respectively. Innovative
in final energy demand. Further development of integrated and collaborative approaches to data collection, processing,
approaches for the heating and electricity sectors also can and validation are necessary. Informal data are central to closing
contribute to reducing grid pressure. data gaps, but they require collaboration with new players from
a variety of non-energy sectors (such as agriculture, industry,
IMPROVE ACCESS TO FINANCE IN DEVELOPING and health), as well as the integration of new methods and
COUNTRIES approaches for data collection.
In developing countries, access to financial resources is central to There is a critical need to broaden the definition of renewable
establishing a diversified, stable energy supply. With renewable energy data, to collect data in a regular and more systematic
energy, expansion of the energy supply for all customer groups manner, and to increase transparency.
is becoming increasingly a political and financial challenge, not For decentralised renewable energy for energy access,
a technical one. Deployment is often constrained by a lack of policymakers and donors need to build into their programmes
available financial resources, high costs of capital, or reluctance and activities continuous data collection and reporting.
on the part of investors.
In order to expand energy markets to reach full energy access,
the public sector needs to ensure political stability, which in turn
sends a positive signal to investors. Public finance mechanisms
such as preferential loans and grants as well as loan guarantees
can be effective in leveraging private sector investment by
overcoming the lack of private financial instruments, facilitating
market development, and mitigating risk. Financial instruments
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

can be implemented on both the supply and demand sides,

supporting project developers and energy users to drive the
evolution of projects to high-capacity deployment. Additionally,
acquiring financing and buy-in necessitates trust in the
technology, which requires the development of standards,
certification, etc. to ensure quality. This is similarly important for
developing local industries and the ability to export renewable
energy products.

17
SELECTED FIGURES & TABLES GSR 2015
Figure 1.Renewable
Estimated Estimated Renewable
EnergyEnergy
ShareShare of Global
of Global FinalEnergy
Final Energy Consumption,
Consumption,20132013

Fossil fuels
78.3%

Biomass/ Hydropower
geothermal/
Modern renewables
solar heat 3.9%
10.1% 4.1%
All renewables
19.1% 1.3% 0.8%
Traditional biomass
9% Wind/solar/ Biofuels
biomass/
geothermal
power

2.6%
Nuclear power

Estimated
Figure Renewable
3. Estimated Energy
Renewable Energy Share
Share ofof Global
Global Electricity
Electricity Production,
Production, End–2014End-2014

Fossil fuels and nuclear

77.2%

Hydropower
16.6% Wind 3.1%

Renewable
electricity
Bio-power 1.8%
22.8%
Based on renewable
Solar PV 0.9% generating capacity
Geothermal, in operation at
CSP, and year-end 2014.
ocean 0.4%
Based on renewable generating capacity in operation at year-end 2014.
Figure 4. Renewable Power Capacities*, EU-28, BRICS, and Top Seven Countries, 2014
Renewable Power Gigawatts

Capacities* in World, 700

657
EU-28, BRICS, and Gigawatts CSP and Ocean power
153
Top Seven Countries, 600 150 Geothermal power
2014 Bio-power

125 Solar PV
500
Wind power
105
400 100

86

300 75
255
206
200 50

32 32 31 31
100 25

0 0
* not including hydropower. World EU-28 BRICS China United Germany Italy Spain Japan India
Total States

*not including hydropower

18
BIOMASS ENERGY
Figure 8. in
Shares of Biomass Sources Shares of Biomass
Global Sources
Heat and in GlobalGeneration,
Electricity Heat and Electricity
2014 Generation, 2014

Biomass Sources in Heat Generation Biomass Sources in Electricity Generation

Solid biomass Solid biomass

80% 75%

Biogas MSW
MSW Biogas
17% 7%
15% 4%

Biofuels Biofuels
1% 1%
Solid biomass shares include both traditional and modern bioenergy from fuelwood, bagasse, black liquor, animal waste, and others.

Ethanol, Biodiesel, and HVO Global

Figure Production,
9. Ethanol, Biodiesel, and2004–2014
HVO Global Production, 2004–2014
World Total
Billion Litres
127.7 Billion Litres
120

Figure ??. Shares of Biomass Sources

Hydrotreated in Global
vegetable Heat and Electricity Production
oil (HVO)
100 Biodiesel
Ethanol
Heat Production Electricity Production
80
Solid biomass Solid biomass
80% 60
75%

40

20
Biogas MSW
MSW Biogas
17% 7%
0 15% 4%
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Biofuels Biofuels
1%
Figure 10. Wood Pellet Global Production, by Country or Region, 2004–2014
World Total
1%
Wood Pellet Million Tonnes

Global Production, 25 24.1 Million Tonnes

R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

by Country or Region, Rest of World

2004–2014 Rest of Asia
20 China
Russia
United States, Canada, and Mexico
15 European Union (EU-28)

10

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

19
GEOTHERMAL POWER
Figure ??. Geothermal
Geothermal Power
Power Global Capacity
Capacity Additions,Share
Additions, Share by
of Additions
Country, by Country, 2014
2014

Kenya Turkey
56% 17%

Indonesia
10%
Philippines
8% Germany 3%
Italy 6% Japan 0.5%
United States 0.5%
Other countries

GLOBAL OUTPUT
POWER 74 TWh
Geothermal
FigurePower CapacityPower
13. Geothermal and Capacity
Additions,
and Top 10 Countries
Additions, and Rest
Top 10 Countries
THERMAL
and of World,
Rest 2014
of World,
73 TWh
2014
Megawatts
4,000

+ 3.5
3,500 Added in 2014
2013 total
3,000

2,500

2,000 + 49

1,500 + 62
+0 +0 + 40
1,000 + 18
+0 + 358 + 3.5
500 + 107

0
United Philippines Indonesia Mexico New Italy Iceland Kenya Japan Turkey Rest of
States Zealand World
Additions are net of repowering and retirements.

20
HYDROPOWER
Hydropower Global Capacity,
Shares of Top Six Countries and Rest of World, 2014
Figure 14. Hydropower Global Capacity, Shares of Top Six Countries, 2014

Brazil
China
8.5%
27%
United States
7.5%
Canada
7.3%
Russia Rest of World
4.5% 41%
India
4.3%

Global capacity reached

1,055 GW
Hydropower Capacity and Additions, Top Six Countries for Capacity Added, 2014
Figure ??. Hydropower Capacity and Additions, Top Six Countries for Capacity Added, 2014
Gigawatts
300 + 22 Added in 2014
2013 total
Gigawatts
250
100
+ 3.3
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

200 80 + 1.7

150 60
+ 1.1
+ 1.2
100 40

+ 1.4
50 20

0 0
China Brazil Canada Turkey India Russia

Additions are net of repowering and retirements.

21
SOLAR PV
SolarFigure
PV Global Capacity,
??. Solar PV Total 2004–2014
Global Capacity, 2004–2014
Gigawatts
200 World Total
177 Gigawatts

150
138

100
100

70

50
40

23
16
7 9
3.7 5.1
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

40 GW
added in 2014
Solar PV Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2014
Figure 17. Solar PV Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2014
Gigawatts
40
+ 1.9

Added in 2014
30
+ 10.6 2013 total

+ 9.7

20 + 0.4 + 6.2

10

+ 0.9 + 2.4 + 0.9 + 0.7

0
Germany China Japan Italy United France Spain United Australia India
States Kingdom

22
SOLAR THERMAL HEATING & COOLING AND CSP
Concentrating
Figure 18.Solar ThermalSolar
Concentrating Power Global
Thermal Capacity,
Power by Country
Global Capacity, or Region,
by Country 2004–2014
or Region, 2004–2014
Gigawatts
5
World Total
4.4 Gigawatts
4 Rest of World
Spain
United States
3

Figure 21. Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity, 2004-2014

2

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Figure 19. Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity, Shares of Top 10 Countries, 2013

Solar Water Heating

Collectors Global Capacity, China

Shares of Top 10 Countries, 70%

2013
United States 4.5%
Germany 3.3%
Turkey 2.9%
Next 9 countries Brazil 1.8%
18% Australia 1.5%
India 1.2%
Austria 1.0%
Greece 0.8%
Rest of World Japan 0.8%
12%

Figure 21. Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity, 2004-2014

Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity, 2004–2014
Gigawatts-thermal
World Total
406 Gigawatts-thermal
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

400 Data are for solar

Glazed collectors
water collectors only
Unglazed collectors (not including air
collectors).
300

200

100

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

23
WIND POWER
Figure 22. Wind Power Total World Capacity, 2004–2014
Wind Power Global Capacity, 2004–2014
Gigawatts

51
World Total
400
370 Gigawatts
350
319
300 283

238

GW
250

198
200

ADDED
159
150
121
100
94

in 2014
74
48 59
50

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Wind
Figure 23. Wind Power Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2014
Wind Power Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2014
Gigawatts

120 + 23.2
generated more than

20%
Added in 2014 Additions
100 are net of
2013 total repowering.

80

+ 4.9
of electricity in 60

several countries, including:

+ 5.3

Denmark, 40

+ 2.3

Nicaragua, 20
+ 1.7 + 1.9 + 1.0 + 0.1 + 2.5
Portugal, and Spain 0
China United Germany Spain India United Canada France Italy Brazil
States Kingdom

Market
Figure Shares
24. Market of Top
Shares 1010Wind
of Top Wind Turbine Manufacturers,
Turbine Manufacturers, 2014
2014

Vestas Siemens Goldwind (China)

(Denmark) (Germany)
9.0%
11.6% 9.5%
GE Wind (USA)
8.7%
Enercon (Germany)
Others
7.3% Suzlon Group (India) 5.5%
31.7% United Power (China) 4.8%
Next 5
Gamesa (Spain) 4.5%
manufacturers
Mingyang (China) 3.9%
Envision (China) 3.7%

Based on total sales of ~53.5 GW

24
DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY
Figure ??. World Heat Pump Market, 2013

Figure ??. World Heat Pump Market, 2013

World Electricity Access and Lack of Access by Region, 2012
With access
85% Sub-Saharan Africa
With access 55%
85% Sub-Saharan Africa
55% Rural
South Asia Others
87%
34% 12% Rural
South Asia Others
Without 87%
access 34% 12%
15%
Without
access
Urban 13%
15%
Urban 13%

World Clean Cooking Access and Lack of Access by Region, 2012

With Access South East

Asia Asia
58% 38% 21%
With Access South East
Asia Asia
58% 38% 21%
Without Sub-Saharan Others Rural
Africa
Access 16% 83%
42% 26%
Sub-Saharan Others Rural
Without
Africa
Access 16% 83%
42% 26%

Urban 17%

Urban 17%

An estimated

1,095,000,000
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

PEOPLE
HAVE NO ACCESS
TO ELECTRICITY
25
INVESTMENT FLOWS
Figure 25. Global New Investment in Renewable Power and Fuels, Developed and Developing Countries, 2004–2014

Global New Investment Billion USD

in Renewable Power and 300 270
279
Fuels, Developed and billion USD
World Total
Developing Countries, 256
250 Developed Countries
2004–2014 237
232
Developing Countries

200
182 178

190
154

162
150

149

139
135
112

131
121

113
100

108

107
Does not include

97
73

89
investment in 83
hydropower > 50 MW

75
45

66
61
50
53

46
36

29
20
9

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Does not include investment in hydropower > 50 MW

FigureNew
Global 24. Global New Investment
Investment in Renewable
in Renewable Power
Power and andby
Fuels, Fuels, by Region,
Region, 2004–2013
2004–2014

United States
Billion USD
60
50.0

38.2

38.3
36.0
35.1

35.1
33.0

40
29.1

24.3

20 United States
11.6
5.4

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Americas (excl. United States & Brazil) Americas

(excl. United States & Brazil)
Billion USD
14.8

20
12.2
12.2

10.2
9.2
5.8

5.8
5.0
3.9
3.3
1.7

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Brazil Brazil
20 Billion USD
12.1
11.8

10.1
7.9

7.7

7.6
7.2
5.2

3.9
3.1
0.8

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Africa & Middle East

Africa & Middle East India

Billion USD Billion USD
12.7
12.6

20 20
10.4

9.0
8.7

7.4

7.4
6.3

6.4
5.6
4.9

4.3
4.2

2.7

3.1
2.9
2.3
2.4

1.7
0.8

1.1
0.6

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Data source: UNEP FS / BNEF Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2014

26
Figure ??. Global New Investement in Renewable Energy by Technology, Developed and Developing Countries, 2014
Global New Investment in Renewable Energy by Technology, Developed and Developing Countries, 2014
Billion USD Change relative to 2013

87.0
Solar Power + 25%
63.0

41.0
Wind + 11%
58.0
Biomass &
6.0
Waste-to- – 10%
Energy 3.0

3.0 – 8%
Biofuels
2.0

Small Hydro 1.0

< 50 MW 4.0 – 17%
Developed Countries
0.3 Developing Countries
Geothermal + 23%
Power 2.0

Ocean 0.4
Energy 0.04 + 110%

0 20 40 60 80

Europe Europe Data include

government and

120.7
corporate R&D
Billion USD

111.1
120

100

89.6
81.6

81.2

80
66.4

57.3

57.5
60
46.7

China
33.6

40

Asia &
23.6

Oceania
20
(excl. China
& India)

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

India China
83.3

Billion USD
80
Asia & Oceania (excl. China & India)
62.8

62.6

Billion USD
60 60
49.1
48.7
44.7

39.5

38.7

40 40
30.5

25.7
24.1
19.3

16.6
13.7
13.6

20 20
12.5

11.1
10.0
9.2

8.2
7.2

3.0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

27
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Global Energy Intensity, 1990–2013

28
Energy Intensity in Transportation by Country and Region, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2013

Energy Intensity in Industry by Country and Region, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2013

R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

29
JOBS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
ESTIMATED DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLDWIDE, BY INDUSTRY

United Bang- European Unionj

World China Brazil India Japan
States ladesh Germany France Rest of EU
THOUSAND JOBS

Biomass a,b 822 241 152f 58 52 53 238

Biofuels 1,788 71 845d 282g 35 3 26 30 42

Biogas 381 209 85 9 49 3 14

Geothermala 154 35 2 17 33 54

Hydropower 209 126 12 8 12 5 13 4 24

(Small)c

Solar PV 2,495 1,641 125 210 115 56 26 82

CSP 22 174h 1 14

Solar heating / 764 600 41e 75 11 7 19

cooling

Wind power 1,027 502 36 73 48 3 0.1 138 20 162

Total 7,674i 3,390 934 724 437 218 129 371k 176 653

Note: Figures provided in the table are the result of a comprehensive review of primary (national entities such as ministries, statistical agencies, etc.) and
secondary (regional and global studies) data sources and represent an ongoing effort to update and refine available knowledge. Totals may not add up due to
rounding.
a) Power and heat applications (including heat pumps in the case of the European Union). b) Traditional biomass is not included. c) Although 10 MW is often
used as a threshold, definitions are inconsistent across countries. d) About 304,400 jobs in sugarcane and 199,600 in ethanol processing in 2013; also
includes 200,000 indirect jobs in equipment manufacturing, and 141,200 jobs in biodiesel in 2014. e) Equipment manufacturing and installation jobs.
f) Biomass power direct jobs run only to 15,500. g) Includes 232,633 jobs for ethanol and 49,525 jobs for biodiesel in 2014. h) All solar technologies combined.
i) The total for ‘World’ is calculated by adding the individual totals of the technologies, with 3,600 jobs in ocean energy and 8,300 jobs in publicly funded R&D
and administration in Germany. j) All EU data are from 2013 and the two major EU countries are represented individually. k) Includes 8,300 jobs in publicly
funded R&D and administration; not broken down by technology.

Figure ??. Jobs

Jobs in Renewable in Renewable Energy
Energy

Bioenergy
(Biomass, Biofuels,
Biogas)

Geothermal

Hydropower
(Small-scale)i

Solar Energy
(Solar PV, CSP,
Solar Heating/Cooling)

Wind Power

= 50,000 jobs
World Total: 7.7 Million Jobs
i - Employment information for large-scale hydropower not included.
i - Employment information for large-scale hydropower is incomplete and not included
Data source: IRENA

30
PRODUCTION & AUTHORING TEAM
RESEARCH DIRECTOR AND SECTION AUTHORS PROJECT AND GSR COMMUNITY
LEAD AUTHORSHIP MANAGEMENT (REN21 SECRETARIAT)
Christine Lins (REN21 Secretariat)
Janet L. Sawin Rana Adib (Coordination)
Evan Musolino (Worldwatch Institute)
Lead Author and Content Editor Hannah E. Murdock
(Sunna Research) Ksenia Petrichenko
(Copenhagen Center on Energy
Freyr Sverrisson (Sunna Research) RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION
Efficiency, C2E2) SUPPORT (REN21 SECRETARIAT)
Wilson Rickerson
Wilson Rickerson
(Meister Consultants Group) Martin Hullin
(Meister Consultants Group)
Ayla Reith
Janet L. Sawin (Sunna Research)
Alana Valero
Kristin Seyboth
(KMS Research and Consulting) Laura E. Williamson

Jonathan Skeen
EDITING, DESIGN, AND LAYOUT
Benjamin Sovacool
Lisa Mastny, editor (Worldwatch Institute)
(Danish Center for Energy Technology)
weeks.de Werbeagentur GmbH, design
Freyr Sverrisson (Sunna Research)
Laura E. Williamson PRODUCTION
(REN21 Secretariat) REN21 Secretariat, Paris, France

SPECIAL ADVISOR
Frank Wouters (Wouters Ltd.)

REN21 is committed to mobilising global action to meet SE4ALL objectives

DISCLAIMER:
REN21 releases issue papers and reports to emphasise the importance of renewable energy and to generate discussion on issues central
to the promotion of renewable energy. While REN21 papers and reports have benefitted from the considerations and input from the REN21
community, they do not necessarily represent a consensus among network participants on any given point. Although the information given in
this report is the best available to the authors at the time, REN21 and its participants cannot be held liable for its accuracy and correctness.

PHOTO CREDITS
R E N E WA B L E S 2 01 5 G L O B A L S TAT U S R E P O R T – K E Y F I N D I N G S

Page 5 shutterstock Page 21 Hydropower as renewable energy source –

Page 11 Mac Arthur, Australia / the Limmernboden reservoir in Switzerland /
© Courtesy of Vesta Wind System © Andritz
Page 12 Renewable Energy used to increase energy access Page 22 Solar Panels / shutterstock
in developing countries © ADB Page 24 Wind power / shutterstock
Page 14 Show the good project, Uganda / © Solar Sisters Page 25 Renewable Energy used to increase access
Page 14 Mac Arthur, Australia / to education / © OSRAM
© Courtesy of Vesta Wind System Page 28 Biogastadet, Amanda - Biogas supported train,
Page 17 Installation of solar decentralized renewable energy Sweden / © Lasse Hejdenberg and Hejdlösa bilder
for energy access / © Soltys Page 28 Milner Meats, Australia /
Page 20 Hellisheiði power plant, Iceand / © Alice Solar City and Clean Energy Council
© Kristján Pétursson

31
KEY FINDINGS

2015

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RENEWABLES 2015
GLOBAL STATUS REPORT
For further details and access to the full report
and references, visit www.ren21.net/gsr

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www.ren21.net

ISBN 978-3-9815934-7-1
RENEWABLES 2015
GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

KEY FINDINGS

2015