REN21’s newly released Global 2015 Renewables Status Report notes that renewable energy’s record year lead to the uncoupling of the global economy’s growth from CO2 emissions. Growth in the wind sector contributed to this decoupling with its impressive addition of over 51 GW of added wind capacity, representing a 44% increase over 2013 and raising the world total to around 370 GW. China alone accounted for 45% of global additions. Asia remained the largest market for the seventh consecutive year, and overtook Europe in total capacity. However, Europe saw its second highest installations ever, largely thanks to Germany. The United States was the leading country for wind power generation.
Wind power met more than 20% of electricity demand in several countries - including Denmark, Nicaragua, Portugal, and Spain. An estimated 1.7 GW of grid-connected capacity was added offshore - all in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and China - bringing the world total to more than 8.5 GW.
You can find more about developments in the wind and other renewable energy sectors by consulting: www.ren21.net/gsr. For information in French, Spanish and Chinese, consult the language editions of the Key Findings available on the same page. Also check out REN21’s newly revamped Renewables Interactive Map (www.ren21.net/map) which contains extensive country-level data.
