Linking Renewable Energy to Rural Development
In many OECD countries, governments have invested large amounts of public money to support renewable energy (RE) development and are requiring significant quantities of it to be sold by energy providers. But what are the economic impacts of these policies on the rural regions where deployment takes place? How can RE bring the greatest benefit to host regions? These are some of the questions explored by this study. Drawing on case studies in 16 regions within 10 countries, the research finds that while RE indeed represents an opportunity for stimulating economic growth in rural communities, its development benefits are not automatic. Realising them requires a complex and flexible policy framework and a long-term strategy, as well as a realistic appreciation of the potential gains from RE deployment. Making a positive connection between RE development and local economic growth will require more coherent strategies, the right set of local conditions, and a place-based approach to deployment.
Trends in global renewable energy markets and national policies
This chapter provides background information for the overall report. It assesses the trends of installed capacity, taking into account electricity, heating and cooling. It compares the cost of producing renewable energy to that of conventional fuels and discusses the current trends. The chapter presents an outlook on renewable energy deployment, based on IEA projections. Finally, it presents the drivers underpinning renewable energy across the globe.