對新可再生能源產(chǎn)能的投資在2005年達(dá)到創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的380億美元，高于2004年的300億美元。德國和中國是最大的投資國，各投資約70億美元，其次是美國、西班牙、日本和印度。風(fēng)電新增裝機(jī)容量位居第二，幾乎與大型水電并駕齊驅(qū)，現(xiàn)有裝機(jī)容量增長24%，達(dá)到590億瓦。2004年，在一些國家，生物質(zhì)發(fā)電的年產(chǎn)量增長了50%到100%。生物柴油(年產(chǎn)量增長85%)和并網(wǎng)太陽能光伏(現(xiàn)有產(chǎn)能增長55%)的增長率也很高。中國太陽能熱水現(xiàn)有容量增長了23%，歐洲也達(dá)到了創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的水平。20年來，美國和西班牙開始建設(shè)世界上第一座公用規(guī)模的太陽能熱電廠。

Record investment in new renewable energy capacity occurred in 2005—$38 billion,up from $30 billion in 2004.Germany and China were the investment leaders,with about $7 billion each,followed by the United States,Spain,Japan,and India.Wind power registered the second highest added capacity,almost as much as large hydropower,with existing capacity growing 24 percent to reach 59 gigawatts (GW). Biomass power production saw 50–100 percent increases in annual production in several countries in 2004.High growth rates also occurred in biodiesel (85 percent increase in annual production) and grid-connected solar PV (55 percent increase in existing capacity).Solar hot water existing capacity grew by 23 percent in China and reached record levels across Europe as well.And construction began in the United States and Spain on the world’s ?rst utility-scale solar thermal power plants in 20 years.