RENEWABLE ENERGY UNECE STATUS REPORT 2017 PARTNER ORGANISATIONS The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder was set up in 1947 by ECOSOC. network that connects a wide range of key actors. REN21’s goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and UNECE's major aim is to promote pan-European economic joint actions towards a rapid global transition to renewable integration. To do so, it brings together 56 countries located energy. in the European Union, non-EU Western and Eastern Europe, South East Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent REN21 brings together governments, non-governmental States (CIS) and North America. All of these countries dialogue organisations, research and academic institutions, international and cooperate under the aegis of UNECE on economic and organisations and industry to learn from one another and build sectoral issues. However, all interested United Nations on successes that advance renewable energy. To assist policy member States may participate in the work of UNECE. Over decision making, REN21 provides high-quality information, 70 international professional organizations and other non- catalyses discussion and debate and supports the development governmental organizations take part in UNECE activities. of thematic networks. SUPPORTED BY The International Energy Agency (IEA) provided invaluable Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) drew from its global co-operation in verifying data and conducting analysis on dataset to provide crucial data on renewable energy investment countries’ energy situations in this report. in the covered countries. The IEA is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure BNEF has 200 staff based in London, New York, Beijing, Cape reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 29 member Town, Hong Kong, Munich, New Delhi, San Francisco, São Paulo, countries and beyond. The IEA has four main areas of focus: Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C. and Zurich and energy security, economic development, environmental provides unique analysis, tools and data for decision makers awareness and engagement worldwide. driving change in the energy system. Revelle Group is a consulting company working in developing countries and emerging economies in three key sectors: energy and climate change, environment, and sustainable economic and social development. As a cross-cutting service, we also provide tailored outreach and communication activities across all sectors of our work. Revelle’s core business is devoted to public sector consulting for large institutional clients and donors such as the European Commission, EBRD, World Bank, UNECE, ADB, etc. Revelle is expanding its service offering to private sector clients that are interested in taking advantage of the emerging opportunities in sustainable energy in developing and emerging economies. We would like to thank UNECE, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany (BMWi), the International Energy Agency and all partners involved for the excellent collaboration throughout the production of this report REN21 UNECE RENEWABLE ENERGY STATUS REPORT 2017 1 FOREWORD Offering reliable, affordable and sustainable energy in This report informs policies and programmes that the future energy system of the eastern reaches of the support renewable energy investment with a view UNECE region remains a challenge, but even more so towards enabling cost-effective deployment of it represents an opportunity. Investments in renewable renewables within future energy systems. It is intended energy in the eastern reaches of the UNECE region in to support the countries of the region as they work to 2015 amounted to USD 400 million, less than 0.2% of the attain the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable global total. In 2014, investments were USD 700 million, Development. In addition to monitoring progress, the 0.5% of the global total. These are the critical findings of report identifies major barriers to the expansion of the second report produced by UNECE and REN21 on renewable energy capacity in the region and proposes the status of renewable energy in 17 countries in South solutions built on a constructive dialogue among all East and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and stakeholders. the Russian Federation. UNECE would like to thank the German Federal Ministry Once again, the joint report demonstrates that the 17 for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) for its support, countries, home to more than 300 million people, lag which allowed fruitful collaboration with the Renewable in global developments both technically and financially Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) despite significant untapped renewable energy and the International Energy Agency. The preparation resources. This high renewable energy potential, as well of this report benefited from the support of the UNECE as the intention of all countries to substantially increase Group of Experts on Renewable Energy, particularly in the deployment of renewable energy, suggests that gathering country data and information and interpreting fundamental changes are about to occur. Knowing the key messages with a national relevance. renewable energy status of these countries – as outlined in detail in this report – allows all stakeholders to have a better understanding of the situation and to undertake actions to speed change. The report enshrines the vision for renewable energy playing a key role in the UNECE region. Olga Algayerova Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 2 After a very successful collaboration on the first edition REN21 is committed to tracking the development of of the REN21 UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report renewables worldwide. In addition to its annual flagship in 2015, REN21 and the United Nations Economic publication, the Renewables Global Status Report, REN21 Commission for Europe (UNECE) have joined forces works with regional partners to shed further light on once more to produce the latest UNECE Renewable renewables development in different world regions. The Energy Status Report 2017. It covers 17 selected UNECE UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report 2017 complements member countries and forms part of a series of regional earlier regional status reports on China, India, and the reports that REN21 has developed. EAC, ECOWAS, MENA and SADC regions. The report provides updated data for the Russian Launched at the Eighth International Forum on Energy Federation as well as for countries in South East and for Sustainable Development in Astana, Kazakhstan, this Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, which report will help raise awareness about the extraordinary face some common challenges as they advance in potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency in deploying renewable energy and improving energy the UNECE region. It also will be useful for subsequent efficiency. The UNECE Renewable Energy Status Report activities of UNECE and its partners, serving as an 2017 puts a renewed spotlight on this highly promising updated baseline for renewable energy and energy region to foster further regional activity in renewable efficiency in the region. energy as well as in the energy efficiency sector. We would like to thank UNECE, the Federal Ministry for Renewable energy continued to expand globally in 2016 Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany (BMWi), the with record renewable capacity being commissioned International Energy Agency and all partners involved for against the backdrop of rising worldwide energy the excellent collaboration throughout the production consumption – particularly in developing countries of this report. We hope that you find the information and emerging economies. Global new investment in contained in this report informative. renewable power and fuels amounted to USD 242 billion. While more than 2 GW of renewable power was added in 2016 (581 MW for non-hydro renewable energy), the full renewable energy potential in the region is still far from being reached. Despite a total population of 300 million, the selected 17 UNECE countries still represent Christine Lins only a fraction of global investment in renewable energy Executive Secretary in 2016. Modern renewables are uniquely positioned to Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) provide needed energy services in a sustainable manner, more rapidly and generally at lower cost than fossil fuels. Their potential in South East and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, the Russian Federation and Central Asia remains very significant. REN21 UNECE RENEWABLE ENERGY STATUS REPORT 2017 3 LAUNCHED AT THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN, THIS REPORT WILL HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE UNECE REGION. IT ALSO WILL BE USEFUL FOR SUBSEQUENT ACTIVITIES OF UNECE AND ITS PARTNERS, SERVING AS AN UPDATED BASELINE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE REGION. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was commissioned by the United Nations Murman Margvelashvili (World Experience for Georgia), Nana Economic Commission for Europe. Its production was co- Pirtskhelani (Ministry of Energy of Georgia) ordinated by REN21 in collaboration with a wide network of Kazakhstan: Zharas Takenov (freelance consultant), Raygul partner institutions and individuals. Financial support was Bazarbayevna-Bulekbayeva (Ministry of