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ePaper created 2014-06-03, 15:03:20 | version 1.30.01
75 04 RENEWABLES 2014 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT 4 04 POLICY LANDSCAPE Renewable energy technologies continue to receive significant attention from policymakers around the world. The number of countries with policies to promote the development and deployment of these technologies increased yet again in 2013. Policymakers have turned to renewable energy to achieve a number of goals. The primary objective is generally to maintain or expand energy services. Other social, political, and economic objectives may include reducing health and environmental im- pacts of energy use, including greenhouse gas emissions, and en- hancing energy access and security, as well as secondary benefits such as improving opportunities for education, job creation, rural economic development, poverty reduction, and gender equality. By early 2014, renewable energy support policies were in place at the national or state/provincial level in 138 countries, up from the 127 countries reported in GSR 2013.1 (See Table 3 and Figures 26 and 27.) As in recent years, however, the pace of policy adoption was again slow in 2013 relative to the early-to- mid 2000s; the slowing rate of adoption is due partially to the fact that so many countries have enacted renewable energy support policies already. While the early expansion of policies was driven by developed countries, many of which now have several policy measures in place, developing and emerging economies have led the expansion in recent years, accounting for 95 of the countries with renewable support policies in place by early 2014, up from an estimated 15 in 2005.i 2 (See Figures 29 and 30.) In 2013, there was an increasing focus on revisions to existing policies—including retroactive changes. Some adjustments were made to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of supporting policies, while others were aimed to curtail further growth of renewables for a variety of reasons. Particularly in Europe, decisions were taken in several countries to reduce support in the electricity sector. At the same time, however, policies are being further developed and differentiated, moving towards convergence of features across the different types of policy mechanisms. For example, technology-specific support has been introduced into certificate trading and quota systems that were originally technology-neutral, and feed-in policies have been moving from fixed minimum payments to premiums paid on top of a market price. In many countries, policymakers have continued to adapt legislation to respond to changing circumstances. Some countries have adjusted policies in response to rapidly evolving domestic and international market conditions, including declining technology costs and perceived unfair trade practices. Others have revised policies to address continuingly tight national budgets or shifting public opinion, which in some instances has blamed renewables for increases in energy prices. Some countries are also providing guidance by enacting policies to advance or manage the integration of high shares of renewable electricity in existing power systems. For the first time, this section of the report presents a brief overview of these policies. The section aims to give a picture of new policy developments at the national, state/provincial, and local levels, and does not attempt to assess or analyse the effectiveness of specific policies or policy mechanisms. ■■ POLICY TARGETS Policy targets for the increased deployment of renewable energy technologies existed in 144 countries as of early 2014, up from the 138 countries reported in GSR 2013. (See Reference Tables R12–R15.) Renewable energy targets take many forms. Although the majority continue to focus on the electricity sector, targets for renewable heating and cooling and for transport are becoming increasingly important tools for policymakers. (See later sections on Heating and Cooling, and Transportation.) Other forms of targets include renewable shares of primary and final energy, as well as capacities of specific renewable technologies or their energy output. Targets most often focus on a specific future year, but some are set for a range of years or with no year reported. In addition, targets for expanding energy access, although not direct renewable energy targets, are increasingly specifying the use of renewable sources. (See Section 5 on Distributed Renewable Energy in Developing Countries.) At least 12 countries had historical targets aimed at the year 2013. Algeria installed 10 MW of wind in 2013 to meet its targeted capacity of 10 MW, and China met its goal to add 49 GW of renewable capacity in 2013.3 However, eight countries failed to meet their targets by year’s end. For example, in early 2014, India was short of its targeted 4,325 MW of additional renewable power capacity in fiscal year 2013–14.ii 4 Both Tonga and Fiji failed to meet goals for 100% of final energy from renewables; subsequently, Fiji reduced its targets to 100% of electricity and 23% of final energy from renewable sources by 2030.5 France fell short of its goal of adding 1,000 MW of solar poweriii ; Nepal failed to meet its goal of 1 MW of installed wind capacity; St. Lucia failed to meet its target of 5% renewable electricity; South Africa did not meet its goal to generate 10,000 GWh of renewable electricity in 2013; and South Korea ended the year short of its goal to add 100 MW of wind power during 2013.6 As of early 2014, data were not yet available to determine whether several other targets were achieved, including: Algeria (cumulative 25 MW of solar PV, 25 MW of CSP); Côte d’Ivoire (3% of primary energy); Nepal (cumulative 3 MW of solar, 15 MW of micro hydro); Peru (5% of electricity demand from hydropower projects smaller than 20 MW each).7 New policy targets were introduced by at least six countries in 2013. Azerbaijan approved a target for renewables to account for 9.7% of total primary energy and 20% of electricity by 2020; Bhutan set a target of 20 MW of renewable power capacity by 2025; and Kazakhstan targeted a 1% share of electricity from i - The estimate of 15 countries in 2005 was based on the best information available to REN21 at the time. As of early 2014, there were 138 developing and emerging economies, defined as countries in the low-income, lower-middle income, and upper-middle income classifications of the World Bank Country and Lending Groups, out of a total of 188 countries overall (per World Bank). ii - India does not classify hydropower installations larger than 25 MW as renewable energy sources. Therefore, throughout the Policy Landscape section, national targets and data for India do not include hydro facilities greater than 25 MW. The Indian government’s fiscal year runs from 1 April through 31 March. iii - Throughout the Policy Landscape section, the term “solar power” refers to solar PV and/or CSP.