Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016
Renewable Energy Investments: Major Milestones Reached, New World Record Set
Angus McCrone (Lead Author, Chief Editor)Ulf Moslener (Lead Editor) Francoise d’Estais Eric Usher Christine Grüning
March, 2016
According to UNEP's 10th "Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016", prepared by the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance and Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance all investments in renewables totalled $286 billion in 2015, some 3% higher than the previous record in 2011. Coal and gas-fired electricity generation drew less than half the record investment made in solar, wind and other renewables capacity.
Just as significantly, developing world investments in renewables (up 19% in 2015) topped those of developed nations for the first time in 2015 (down 8%). Much of these record-breaking developing world investments took place in China (up 17% to $102.9 billion). Other developing countries showing increased investment included India, South Africa, Mexico and Chile.
Overall, renewables excluding large hydro made up 53.6% of the gigawatt capacity of all technologies installed in 2015, the first time it has represented a majority. That shows that the structural change is under way. However, the huge weight of conventional generation capacity already built meant that new, clean technologies only accounted for just over 10% of world electricity last year.