Renewables: ~ 59% of net additions to 2014 global power capacity

The link between global economic growth and rising carbon dioxide emissions due to energy consumption is weakening, REN21’s latest report tells us. This, it says, is largely due to China’s energy policies. REN21, The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century is a think tank linked to the UN Environment Programme. Carbon emissions were unchanged even as the global economy grew by 3 per cent compared with 2013, REN21 reports.

“Renewable energy continued to grow in 2014 against the backdrop of increasing global energy consumption, particularly in developing countries, and a dramatic decline in oil prices during the second half of the year. Despite rising energy use, for the first time in four decades, global carbon emissions associated with energy consumption remained stable in 2014 while the global economy grew; this stabilisation has been attributed to increased penetration of renewable energy and to improvements in energy efficiency.”

http://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GSR2015_KeyFindings_lowres.pdf p 18

In short, world-wide, more renewables generation capacity was added than coal and gas combined.

“Renewables represented approximately 59% of net additions to global power capacity in 2014, with significant growth in all regions. Wind, solar PV, and hydro power dominated the market.”

Source: Renewables 2015 Global Status Report p 6; http://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GSR2015_KeyFindings_lowres.pdf

In 2014, globally

·         the world economy grew

·         energy consumption increased

·         oil prices decreased

·         carbon emissions relating to energy production were stable

·         renewable energy generation increased by 59%.

http://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GSR2015_KeyFindings_lowres.pdf p 18

Meanwhile,

·         Australia is trashing its RET.

·         Abbott is trashing wind turbines.

·         the Government is trashing renewables’ jobs.

·         the powerful fossil fuel lobbies’ money is driving this Government’s policies.

When we are looking for energy, coal is dead; dead, buried and fossilised.

If we want horsepower it’s worth remembering that horses are renewable.