A record 70 gigawatts (GW) of solar were added last year globally, a 25% increase from 56 GW in 2015, according to estimates by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. More than 56 GW of wind was installed, down from 63 GW in 2015 but the second-highest figure ever,

Total investment in clean energy worldwide was estimated at $287.5 billion, an 18% decline from 2015 due in part to falling prices for wind and solar technologies. 2016 was, however, a record year for offshore wind investment which reached $30 billion, up 40% compared to 2015, due to improved economics.

The Central American country of Costa Rica has successfully transitioned to a grid powered by nearly 100% renewable resources, according to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE). The primary sources of Costa Rica's power are  hydro, goethermal, wind, biomass, and solar. Fossil fuels function as backup energy generation source, accounting for less than 2% of generation.

In 2016, Costa Rica relied on renewable sources for 98.12% of its electricity, an impressive achievement and consistent with the 2015 total of 98.99%. Costa Rica further reported that in 2016 it went 250 days using only renewable power sources. With the ability to maintain high levels of renewable electricity for two years, Costa Rica's electricity sector is a world leader in clean energy.

It should be noted, however, that Costa Rica's Reventazon Hydroelectric Project, the largest hydroelectric dam in Central America, has generated concerns due to its environmental impacts on river ecosystems and migrating wildlife, including jaguars. Accordingly, it is to be hoped that Costa Rica continues to invest in non-hydro sources of clean energy, such as wind and solar, which also offer the benefit of operating during the dry season, when hydroelectric production is less reliable.