{"id":6045,"date":"2017-06-08T13:11:32","date_gmt":"2017-06-08T13:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/?p=6045"},"modified":"2017-06-08T08:19:30","modified_gmt":"2017-06-08T08:19:30","slug":"another-record-breaking-year-renewable-energy-renewable-energy-capacity-less-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/another-record-breaking-year-renewable-energy-renewable-energy-capacity-less-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Record Breaking Year for Renewable Energy: More renewable energy capacity for less money"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today REN21 published its\u00a0Renewables 2017 Global Status Report (GSR),\u00a0the most comprehensive annual overview of the state of renewable energy.<\/em>
\nAdditions in installed renewable power capacity set new records<\/strong>\u00a0in 2016, with 161 gigawatts (GW) installed, increasing total global capacity by almost 9% over 2015, to nearly 2,017 GW. Solar PV accounted for around 47% of the capacity added, followed by wind power at 34% and hydropower at 15.5%.<\/p>\n

Renewables are becoming the least cost option<\/strong>. Recent deals in Denmark, Egypt, India, Mexico, Peru and the United Arab Emirates saw renewable electricity being delivered at USD 0.05 per kilowatt-hour or less. This is well below equivalent costs for fossil fuel and nuclear generating capacity in each of these countries. Winners of two recent auctions for offshore wind in Germany have done so relying only on the wholesale price of power without the need for government support, demonstrating that renewables can be the least cost option.<\/p>\n

The inherent need for \u201cbaseload\u201d is a myth.<\/strong>\u00a0Integrating large shares of variable renewable generation can be done without fossil fuel and nuclear \u201cbaseload\u201d with sufficient flexibility in the power system \u2013 through grid interconnections, sector coupling and enabling technologies such as ICT, storage systems electric vehicles and heat pumps. This sort of flexibility not only balances variable generation, it also optimizes the system and reduces generation costs overall It comes as no surprise, therefore that the number of countries successfully managing peaks approaching or exceeding 100% electricity generation from renewable sources are on the rise. In 2016, Denmark and Germany, for example, successfully managed peaks of renewables electricity of 140% and 86.3%, respectively.<\/p>\n

Global energy-related CO2<\/sub>\u00a0emissions from fossil fuels and industry remained stable for a third year in a row<\/strong>\u00a0despite a 3% growth<\/strong>\u00a0in the global economy and an increased demand for energy.<\/strong>\u00a0This can be attributed primarily to the decline of coal, but also to the growth in renewable energy capacity and to improvements in energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

Other positive trends include:
\nInnovations and breakthroughs in storage technology will increasingly provide additional flexibility to the power system.\u00a0<\/strong>In 2016, approximately 0.8 GW of new advanced energy storage capacity became operational, bringing the year-end total to an estimated 6.4 GW.<\/p>\n

Markets for mini-grids and stand-alone systems are evolving rapidly and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) business models, supported by mobile technology, are exploding.<\/strong>\u00a0In 2012, investments in PAYG solar companies amounted to only USD 3 million; by 2016 that figure had risen to USD 223 million (up from USD 158 million in 2015).<\/p>\n

Arthouros Zervos, Chair of REN21<\/strong>, said \u201cThe world is adding more renewable power capacity each year than it adds in new capacity from all fossil fuels combined. One of the most important findings of this year\u2019s GSR, is that holistic, systemic approaches are key and should become the rule rather than the exception. As the share of renewables grows we will need investment in infrastructure as well as a comprehensive set of tools: integrated and interconnected transmission and distribution networks, measures to balance supply and demand, sector coupling (for example the integration of power and transport networks); and deployment of a wide range of enabling technologies.<\/p>\n

But the energy transition is not happening fast enough to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement\u00a0<\/strong>
\nInvestments are down.\u00a0<\/strong>Although global investment in new renewable power and fuel capacity was roughly double that in fossil fuels, investments in new renewable energy installations were down 23% compared to 2015. Among developing and emerging market countries, renewable energy investment fell 30%, to USD 116.6 billion, while that of developed countries fell 14% to USD 125 billion. Investment continues to be heavily focused on wind and solar PV, however all renewable energy technologies need to be deployed in order to keep global warming well below 2C.<\/p>\n

Transport, heating and cooling sectors continue to lag behind the power sector.\u00a0<\/strong>The deployment of renewable technologies in the\u00a0heating and cooling sector<\/strong>\u00a0remains a challenge in light of the unique and distributed nature of this market. Renewables-based decarbonisation of the\u00a0transport<\/strong>\u00a0sector is not yet being seriously considered, or seen as a priority. Despite a significant expansion in the sales of electric vehicles, primarily due to the declining cost of battery technology, much more needs to be done to ensure sufficient infrastructure is in place and that they are powered by renewable electricity. While the shipping and aviation sectors present the greatest challenges, government policies or commercial disruption have not sufficiently stimulated the development of solutions.<\/p>\n

Fossil fuel subsidies continue to impede progress.\u00a0<\/strong>Globally, subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear power continue to dramatically exceed those for renewable technologies. By the end of 2016 more than 50 countries had committed to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and some reforms have occurred, but not enough. In 2014 the ratio of fossil fuel subsidies to renewable energy subsidies was 4:1. For every USD 1 spent on renewables, governments spent USD 4 perpetuating our dependence on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n

Christine Lins, Executive Secretary of REN21<\/strong>, explains:
\n\u201cThe world is in a race against time. The single most important thing we could do to reduce CO2<\/sub>emissions quickly and cost-effectively, is phase-out coal and speed up investments in energy efficiency and renewables. Trump\u2019s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement is unfortunate.\u00a0 But the renewables train has already left the station and those who ignore renewables\u2019 central role in climate mitigation risk being left behind.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today REN21 published its\u00a0Renewables 2017 Global Status Report (GSR),\u00a0the most comprehensive annual overview of the state of renewable energy. Additions in installed renewable power capacity set new records\u00a0in 2016, with … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":5388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4746],"tags":[6209,2953,6210,6213,6212,2955,6211],"class_list":["post-6045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-renewables-2","tag-base-load","tag-capacity","tag-cost-option","tag-mini-grids","tag-ren-21","tag-renewable-energy","tag-transition","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Renewable-Energy-wind-geothermal.png?fit=699%2C392&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5JWkQ-1zv","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6509,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/renewable-energy-can-strengthened-next-round-climate-negotiations\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":0},"title":"Renewable Energy Can Be Strengthened in Next Round of Climate Negotiations","author":"","date":"November 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Nationally Determined Contributions under Paris Agreement must reflect growing business case and global momentum for renewables\u00a0 Countries have an opportunity to significantly increase renewable energy ambition within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to accelerate its deployment in line with climate objectives under the Paris Agreement, per a new report by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Renewables 2"","block_context":{"text":"Renewables 2","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/renewables-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/unnamed-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/unnamed-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/unnamed-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/unnamed-1.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10442,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/morocco-irena-partner-to-boost-renewables-green-hydrogen-development-tweet\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":1},"title":"Morocco, IRENA Partner to Boost Renewables & Green Hydrogen Development","author":"","date":"June 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the\u00a0Ministry of Energy, Mines and Environment\u00a0(MEME) of the Kingdom of Morocco have today agreed to strengthen joint collaboration to advance knowledge in renewable energy and to accelerate the energy transition. Specifically, IRENA and Morocco will work closely to advance the national green hydrogen\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Countries"","block_context":{"text":"Countries","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12206,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/a-clean-future-for-africas-energy\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":2},"title":"A clean future for Africa\u2019s energy","author":"","date":"April 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Africa\u2019s rapid economic expansion creates a daunting energy challenge, combined with rising expectations of improved resilience and sustainability. Finding a sustainable way to meet growing energy needs is one of the core development challenges for the continent.\u00a0Africa is rich in renewable energy sources, including hydro, sun, wind and others, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Central Africa"","block_context":{"text":"Central Africa","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/central-africa\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Solar-Energy-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Solar-Energy-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Solar-Energy-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Solar-Energy-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Solar-Energy-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11285,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/nigeria-gas-fired-thermal-generation-continues-to-dominate-power-mix-globaldata\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":3},"title":"NIGERIA: Gas-fired Thermal Generation Continues to Dominate Power Mix – GlobalData","author":"","date":"December 3, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Thermal power will continue to make up the majority of Nigeria\u2019s power mix in the next decade, rising from an 82.9% share in 2020 to 84.1% by 2030, according to GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that the country\u2019s reliance on thermal power has meant renewable energy has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Countries"","block_context":{"text":"Countries","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Nigeria-gas-fired-power.jpg?fit=800%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Nigeria-gas-fired-power.jpg?fit=800%2C500&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Nigeria-gas-fired-power.jpg?fit=800%2C500&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Nigeria-gas-fired-power.jpg?fit=800%2C500&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12042,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/opinion-africa-can-adopt-renewable-energy-on-a-massive-scale-and-save-billions-along-the-way\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":4},"title":"OPINION: Africa Can Adopt Renewable Energy on a Massive Scale and Save Billions Along the Way","author":"","date":"March 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Kenneth Engblom, W\u00e4rtsil\u00e4\u2019s VP Energy for Europe and Africa Africa\u2019s energy future at a crossroad When it comes to building the future of energy in Africa, the decisions facing the continent\u2019s leaders today are nothing less than of historical importance. More than anything else, energy systems are the very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Countries"","block_context":{"text":"Countries","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Benban-solar-pack.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Benban-solar-pack.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Benban-solar-pack.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Benban-solar-pack.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11060,"url":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/south-africa-mainstream-projects-to-deliver-1-27gw-of-new-clean-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":6045,"position":5},"title":"South Africa: Mainstream Projects to Deliver 1.27gw of New Clean Power","author":"","date":"October 30, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Global wind and solar company, Mainstream Renewable Power, today announces that 12 of its projects have won preferred bidder status in Round 5 of South Africa\u2019s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The wind and solar projects, which have a total capacity of 1.27 GW, represent half of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Countries"","block_context":{"text":"Countries","link":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/category\/countries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/South-Africa-Energy.jpg?fit=1000%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/South-Africa-Energy.jpg?fit=1000%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/South-Africa-Energy.jpg?fit=1000%2C373&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/South-Africa-Energy.jpg?fit=1000%2C373&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6045"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6045\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6046,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6045\/revisions\/6046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oilnewskenya.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}