International renewable energy organisations have come together at COP21 in Paris to demonstrate that reliable 100% renewable energy is not only possible, but that systems already exist today with significant potential for expansion.
The event provided case studies of communities, cities, countries and regions where various high-penetration combinations of renewable energy technologies are working together. These examples showed that technology solutions for a 100% renewable energy are in place, finance options are available and scalable, and resource availability is plentiful, REN Alliance said.
Stefan Gsänger, secretary general of the World Wind Energy Association, said: “It is a great achievement of our work in the past that this COP21 for the very first time has a focus on renewable energy, and that many governments are supporting the call for a 100% renewable energy future. Of course such statements need to be followed by real action. Wind power can and will contribute a substantial share of the future energy supply. WWEA has identified a global wind potential of more than 100 TW, and we have analysed that by 2050, wind could provide 40% of the global power demand.”
Renewable energy sources accounted for 22,8% of the world’s total electricity production at the end of 2014, according to REN21’s 2015 Global Status Report.