Turkey and the UAE made their mark on the global renewables scene last year, according to Paris-based global renewable energy think-tank REN21. The agency’s Renewables 2014 Global Status Report says Turkey added the second largest amount of geothermal generating capacity after New Zealand, and was second after China in adding hydropower capacity. The UAE added the third largest amount of concentrating solar power (CSP) and also now has the third latest CSP capacity worldwide.

CSP technology concentrates sunlight via mirrors to heat water which then drives conventional electric turbines. The technology is typically deployed on a large scale, as opposed to solar photovoltaic units (Solar PV) which convert light directly into electricity and can be deployed on a small scale, often in remote off-grid locations. (CONTINUED - 849 WORDS)