The International Energy Agency has forecast a strong expansion for the renewable energy market, but one that many operators may find challenging to navigate.

While massive energy-consuming nations like Germany and the US will continue to build out a wide array of renewable energy assets from hydro to offshore wind power, the real growth action will move even more sharply to emerging economies outside the purview of IEA’s parent organization – the Organization for Economic Coordination and Development.

As developed-world subsidies evolve (and potentially shrink drastically) the sector is expected to consolidate dramatically even as growth in the overall market for renewable energy remains robust. Paying attention to specific trends, geographies and technologies will be central to success for renewable energy operators in the new global power markets, IEA said in releasing its first renewable energy market report today.

Download the executive summary of the report with this post, and participate in extensive discussion of IEA’s activities on Breaking Energy here.