The global energy system faces urgent challenges. Concerns about energy security are growing, as highlighted by the recent political turmoil in Northern Africa and the nuclear incident in Fukushima. At the same time, the need to respond to climate change is more critical than ever. Against this background, many governments have increased efforts to promote deployment of renewable energy – low-carbon sources that can strengthen energy security. This has stimulated unprecedented rise in deployment, and renewables are now the fastest growing sector of the energy mix.

This “coming of age” of renewable energy also brings challenges. Growth is focused on a few of the available technologies, and rapid deployment is confined to a relatively small number of countries. In more advanced markets, managing support costs and system integration of large shares of renewable energy in a time of economic weakness and budget austerity has sparked vigorous political debate.

The IEA’s new report, Deploying Renewables 2011: Best and Future Policy Practice:

·         Provides a comprehensive review and analysis of renewable energy policy and market trends;

·         Analyses in detail the dynamics of deployment and provides best-practice policy principles for different stages of market maturity;

·         Assesses the impact and cost-effectiveness of support policies using new methodological tools and indicators;

·         Investigates the strategic reasons underpinning the pursuit of RE deployment by different countries and the prospects for globalisation of RE. 

This new book builds on and extends a 2008 IEA publication, drawing on recent policy and deployment experience world-wide.  It provides guidance for policy makers and other stakeholders to avoid past mistakes, overcome new challenges and reap the benefits of deploying renewables – today and tomorrow.