Falling costs allowed the world to add record new renewable capacity even as investment fell, according to a new report. The findings, from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), show 139 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity was built in 2016. This was an 8% increase on the year before, largely driven by the steeply falling costs of renewables, even while investment fell by 23%. The report mirrors the findings of new statistics released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) last week, which also showed 2016 was the strongest year ever for new renewable energy capacity additions. From the ongoing solar boom to a doubling in green bond issuance, Carbon Brief runs through some of the key findings of the two reports.
Carbon Brief 6th April 2017 read more »
BBC 6th April 2017 read more »
Stunning drops in the cost of wind and solar energy have turned the global power market upside down. For years, opponents of renewable power, like President Donald Trump, have argued they simply aren’t affordable. The reality is quite different. Unsubsidized renewables have become the cheapest source of new power — by far — in more and more countries, according to a new report from the United Nations and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).
Think Progress 6th April 2017 read more »
The number of workers in Scotland employed in the low carbon and renewables sector has risen to 58,500 in 2015 – up from 43,500 in 2014. The low carbon and renewables sector generated a turnover of £10.5 billion, 14 per cent of the total UK sector, the Office of National Statistics found. The report found 48 per cent of all UK employment, and 53 per cent of all UK turnover, in onshore wind was north of the border. In low carbon electricity generation, Scotland represented 33 per cent of all UK employment, and 28% of turnover.
Scotsman 6th April 2017 read more »
Herald 7th April 2017 read more »