The annual global status report by the UN-backed thinktank, which comprises politicians, academics and industry representatives, reveals that total renewable power capacity worldwide exceeded 1,470GW in 2012, up 8.5% from 2011.
Wind power accounted for approximately 39% of renewable power capacity added followed by hydropower and solar PV, which each accounted for around 26%.
In China, wind power generation increased more than that from coal and passed nuclear power output for the first time.
The US added more capacity from wind power than any other technology, and all renewable sources made up about half of total electric capacity additions over the year. However, policy uncertainties there meant renewables investment was down 34% to $36 billion.
Wind leads way in global renewable installations
Wind power constituted the greatest amount of renewable power capacity added worldwide in 2012 according to the latest Renewable Energy policy Network (REN21) report.
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