Renewable generation capacity increased by 152 gigawatts (GW) or 8.3% during 2015, the highest annual growth rate on record, according to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Renewable Energy Capacity Statistics 2016, which contains 13,546 data points from more than 200 countries and territories, finds that renewable power generation capacity grew 8.3% in 2015, the highest rate ever recorded; at the end of 2015, 1,985 GW of renewable generation capacity existed globally. Overall, capacity has increased by roughly one-third over the last five years, with most of this growth coming from new installations of wind and solar energy.
More specifically:
- Wind power grew 63 GW (17%) driven by declines in onshore turbine prices of up to 45% since 2010.
- Solar capacity increased 47 GW (26%) thanks to price drops of up to 80% for solar photovoltaic modules in the same time period.
- Hydropower capacity increased by 35 GW (3%).
- Bioenergy and geothermal energy capacity increased 5% each (5 GW and 1 GW respectively).
In terms of regional distribution, the fastest growth in renewable generation capacity came in developing countries. Central America and the Caribbean expanded at a rate of 14.5%. In Asia, where additions accounted for 58% of new global renewable power generation capacity in 2015, capacity expanded at a rate of 12.4%. Capacity increased by 24 GW (5.2%) in Europe and 20 GW (6.3%) in North America.
For further information, please visit the relevant IRENA press release.
