The world's power future supply

Background: Renewable Energies, such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro, are without alternatives for the energy supply of the future. The promotion of Renewable Energies to fight climate change and to save the resources of our planet is on the agenda since the first UN-World-Summit in Rio de Janeiro 1992. The following UN-Summits in Kyoto, Johannesburg and the “Renewables 2004” in Bonn, brought together world leaders to take according steps and act on a global scale. In Johannesburg and Bonn a strong commitment was endorsed to increase considerably the utilization of renewable energies, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, poverty, and the dependence on fossil fuels.

Development of world's energy consumption: Renewables surpassing nuclear power since 2004 (Source: BP)

In recent years, growth in the renewable energy sector has been strong. Between 2004 and 2007, global (non-hydro) renewable energy capacity grew by more than 185%, with 240 GW – 6% of total global capacity - generated in 2007. The renewable energy sector now surpassed the entire nuclear power supply and employs over one million people worldwide and, in 2007, for the first time ever, generated more than US$100 billion in investments. 
Vast opportunities exist to increase the participation of Renewable Energies in the global energy market, principally when the limited resources of fossil fuels is considered. This will not only offset the impact of global climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions but also provide critically needed energy supplies to developing regions while boosting economic development. Over previous years many obstacles to the renewable industry have been identified and should be overcome: Lack of knowledge and vision in public and political circles, inadequate legislation, inefficient lobbying and insufficient market assessments are some of them.

Huge potential for solar energy production: Daily irradinace (in Wh/m²) in Brazil in August (winter time in the southern hemisphere)