Study: Renewable energy accounts for 70% of power-generating capacity in 2017
More than two-thirds of investments in power generation were in renewables in 2017.
Renewable power accounted for 70% of net additions to global power-generating capacity in 2017, what is said to be the largest increase in renewable power capacity in modern history, according to the Renewables 2018 Global Status Report (GSR) from REN21 (the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century), France. But, the heating, cooling and transport sectors – which together account for about four-fifths of global final energy demand – continue to lag far behind the power sector.
New solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached record levels. For instance, solar PV additions were up 29% relative to 2016, to 98 GW. More solar PV-generating capacity was added to the electricity system than net capacity additions of coal, natural gas and nuclear power combined. Wind power also drove the uptake of renewables with 52 GW added globally.