Renewable energy to grow during next five years

Global renewable power generation is expected to continue growing rapidly over the next five years, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency. The Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2012 says that despite economic uncertainties, global power generation from hydropower, solar, wind, and other renewable sources should rise more than 40% to almost 6,400 TW-hr by 2017. The study examines 15 key markets for renewable energy, representing roughly 80% of renewable generation. Of the 710 GW of new global renewable electricity capacity expected, China accounts for almost 40%, with the U.S., India, Germany, and Brazil also contributing to growth. Hydropower is expected to have the largest increase in generation, followed by onshore wind, bioenergy, and solar PV.