The new report considers the potential contribution from biomass, geothermal, hydro, ocean, solar and wind energy, as well as their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, their integration into the energy networks, their contribution to sustainable development, and the policies which are needed to put them in place.
The report from IPCC also emphasizes that wind power alone is capable of supplying nearly 100% of future demand, and solar many times more.
The scenarios assessed by the IPCC estimate that renewable energy can save between 220 and 560 Gigatonnes of CO2 in the period between 2010 and 2050.
The report says in 2009, around 12.9% of global primary energy supply and 19% of the global electricity supply, was covered by renewable sources, including traditional biomass.
Global Wind Energy Council secretary general Steve Sawyer said the report says that renewable technologies can supply the world with more energy than it would ever need, and at a highly competitive cost.
The world’s wind power capacity installed at the end of 2010 produces enough power to cover for around 2.5% of global electricity demand, and in the scenarios examined by the IPCC, this share could increase tenfold to reach 25% in 2050.
