It includes in-depth discussions on recent policy developments in the world’s top five renewable energy producing countries – China, USA, Germany, Spain and Brazil.
From an Australian perspective, the publication provides a concise overview of relevant support schemes and operating subsidies. Similar overviews are given for a further 22 countries.
- 2011 was a strong year for renewables, driven in part by an overall increase in global energy consumption following a decline during the global recession.
- In 2011, global investment in clean energy reached a new record of US$260 billion, up 5 percent on 2010 and almost five times the total of US$53.6 billion in 2004.
- Renewable energy sources are now the fastest growing sources of electricity generation in the world, with an estimated increase of 3.1 percent per year from 2008 to 2035.
- In the first half of 2012, ongoing economic uncertainty and changing government policies have led to reduced incentives for clean energy in many countries.
- Compared to 83 countries in 2009, at least 96 countries now have some type of policy target or renewable support policy to promote renewable power generation.