Today, biomass and hydroelectric power are the main sources of renewable energy.
Biomass and waste provide 10 percent of primary energy supply, while hydro power
and other renewables provide 2 and 0.5 percent, respectively.
New renewable energy sources like wind and solar power have tremendous growth
potential. By providing the right incentives in the early stages of development, wind
and solar power have the global potential to supply 6,000 TWh and 11,000 TWh
annually by 2050, respectively.
The output of bioenergy from forestry, agriculture and potentially also from
aquaculture, could be increased drastically. As a sustainable part of a GHG
mitigation strategy, the potential is more moderate. This study concludes that the
bioenergy potential in 2050 is approximately 60,000 TWh per year.