The latest renewable energy installed capacity figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) make positive reading for anyone active in this space. The record level of installations, with over 161 GW of new renewable energy capacity added in 2016, dwarfs the installations of conventional power plants (coal, gas and nuclear). In the race to dominate the power sector of the 21 st century, renewable energy has clearly taken the lead and there is now no turning back.