Geothermal continues growth internationally – though slower than other renewables

REN21 Renewables 2017 Global Status Report (Source: REN21.net)

Parker O'Halloran 8 Jun 2017

This week REN21 published its annual Renewables 2017 Global Status Report (GSR), the most comprehensive annual overview of the state of renewable energy world wide.

According to the report, additions in installed renewable power capacity set new records for 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%.

The geothermal industry continued to face challenges in 2016, burdened by the inherent high risk of geothermal exploration and project development, the associated lack of risk mitigation, the constraints of financing and competitive disadvantage relative to low-cost natural gas. Yet the industry made progress with new project developments in key markets, and industry leaders cemented partnerships to pursue new opportunities.

According to the report, an estimated 0.4 GW of new geothermal power generating capacity came online in 2016, bringing the global total to an estimated 13.5 GW. Indonesia and Turkey were in the lead for new installations. Kenya, Mexico and Japan also completed projects during the year, and several other countries had projects under development

Source and for more information: REN21 Global Status Report

Parker O'Halloran

I am a freelance content writer, editor, and proofreader based in Reykjavik, Iceland. My background is in environmental studies, and I have worked on a variety of texts, including SME grants, web-based news sites, commercial/promotional materials, travel brochures, museum descriptions, and even a comic book.

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