By Renewable Energy Focus

Fossil fuels, with an overall share of 81%, continue to rule global energy supply. However, renewable energy sources could become the leading energy sources for coming generations.

A position paper from the World Bioenergy Association forecasts the potential for global bioenergy utilisation in 2050 to be 20-30 times the present use. Renewable energy corresponds to 13% of global energy supply of which bioenergy comprises 10% while hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy and solar energy encompass the remaining 3%.

For the first time since 1982, the global demand for energy actually decreased in 2009, especially within the OECD countries.

Oil demand is estimated to have decreased by 3% compared to 2008. Coal demand decreased heavily in Europe and North America, but increased globally with around 2% mainly due to a large increase in China.

The supply and use of renewable energy (bioenergy, hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal) is increasing, and need to increase strongly in the near future, in order to replace the non-renewable energy sources.

Since 1990 the worldwide supply of renewable energy has increased by 42% from around 13 to almost 18.5 PWh, and now represent 13% of the total worldwide supply of energy.

Asia is the dominant supplier of renewable energy, followed by Africa and North America. The largest increase however is seen in the EU, where renewable energy has more than doubled since 1990. Both Africa and Latin America have increased their supply of renewable energy by more than 50%.