A renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished naturally over time. As a result, it is sustainable despite its consumption by humankind.

Renewable resources for the production of energy are considered especially important for their potential to replace nonrenewable, or finite, resources. Additionally, renewable resources can offer cleaner energy solutions than those provided by nonrenewable resources such as coal and fossil fuels.

Examples of renewable resources include the sun, wind, water, the Earth’s heat (geothermal), and biomass.