Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1 April 2026 – 2025 saw total renewable power capacity reach 5 149 gigawatts (GW) after the addition of 692 GW, or a 15.5% of annual increase, according to new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 also finds renewable energy dominates the total capacity expansion at 85.6% share, while non-renewables continue to account for a smaller share of additions.

Geopolitical tensions are once again thrusting energy into the global spotlight. Escalation in the Middle East raises fresh concerns over supply security and fossil fuel price volatility. Against this backdrop, renewable energy is gaining attention to build more resilient systems that are less vulnerable to international shocks. As renewables are homegrown, low-cost and can be deployed immediately, increasing their share in national energy systems can reduce exposure to international fuel markets.

Commenting on the findings, IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera said, “In the midst of uncertain time, renewable energy remains consistent and steadfast in its expansion. This not only indicates market preference but also makes a strong case for renewable energy resilience with brutal clarity. A more decentralised energy system, with a growing share of renewables and more market players, is structurally more resilient. Countries that invested in the energy transition are weathering this crisis with less economic damage, as they boost energy security, resilience and competitiveness.”

In line with the previous year, solar energy led the increase, accounting for 511 GW or approximately 75% share in the total renewables capacity addition. Wind energy followed suit, adding 159 GW. Together, solar and wind accounted for 96.8% of all net renewable additions last year, reflecting the biggest cost decrease among all renewable technologies. Bioenergy took the third place with 2.3% annual growth, adding 3.4 GW to total renewable energy expansion.

The report also confirms, however, the persistent and significant disparities amongst countries and regions. Asia continued to lead with a 74.2% contribution to all new renewable capacity; the 513.3 GW additions represent a growth rate of 21.6%. Africa recorded its highest capacity increase, rising by 15.9% or adding 11.3 GW, driven by Ethiopia, South Africa, and Egypt. Another region that experienced its largest annual growth is the Middle East, which increased by 28.9%, led by Saudi Arabia.

In terms of total global capacity, Asia unsurprisingly keeps its top position with 2 891 GW of total renewables capacity, followed by Europe which recorded 934 GW in total. Central America and the Caribbean had the lowest renewables capacity with a total of 21 GW in 2025. This disparity exposes the vulnerability of economies with low share of renewables, and underscores the urgent need to increase the share for their energy security.

Technology highlights:

• Solar energy: solar photovoltaics accounted for 510.3 GW out of 511.2 GW of total solar power additions in 2025.
• Renewable hydropower (excluding pumped hydro): 18.4 GW was added in 2025, with 96% of the increase coming from China. Ethiopia, India, Tanzania, Bhutan, Viet Nam, Canada, Austria, Indonesia and Nepal, respectively added more than 0.5 GW.
• Wind energy: capacity grew by 14% from 2024, with record additions of 158.7 GW in 2025. China accounted for nearly three-quarters of the expansion, adding 119.4 GW, while India saw an increase of 6.3 GW.
• Bioenergy: capacity increased by 3.4 GW, led by Japan, which more than doubled its bioenergy capacity expansion from 2024, adding 1.1 GW in 2025. China followed with capacity additions of 0.8 GW and Brazil with 0.6 GW additions.
• Geothermal energy: capacity grew at a similar rate to the previous year at 1.7%, adding 0.3 GW in 2025. The Philippines and Indonesia each contributed 0.1 GW of the additions, followed by Germany, Türkiye and Japan.
• Off-grid electricity (excluding Eurasia, Europe and North America): expanded by 1.7 GW, led by solar power with 1.5 GW. A broad range of bioenergy types added 0.2 GW to the total addition of off-grid capacity.

Read the full Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 including the highlights, here.

• Platform reflects growing demand for integrated process engineering, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems

• Knowledge-led exchange to support localisation, energy transition, and downstream industrial development under Vision 2030

Riyadh, KSA: As Saudi Arabia advances large-scale industrial and energy transition projects — including a carbon capture hub in Jubail designed to capture up to 9 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2028 and the USD 8.4 billion NEOM Green Hydrogen project targeting production of 600 tonnes per day of clean hydrogen by 2027 — the region’s process industries are entering a phase defined by system integration, decarbonisation, and advanced manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, ACHEMA Middle East debuts in the region, taking place from 26–28 October 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC), in Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and with the support of ASAS. The event brings ACHEMA’s century-long heritage in chemical engineering, process technology, and applied industrial science into a region undergoing rapid industrial diversification and downstream expansion.

For more than 100 years, ACHEMA has served as a global reference point for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory and process industries. Its arrival in Saudi Arabia extends this role into the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), providing a full-scale exhibition and conference platform that connects international solution providers with regional manufacturers, policymakers, researchers and technology leaders.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt and powered by DECHEMA, ACHEMA Middle East is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s industrial development agenda. The event is designed to support localisation, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, digitalisation, and long-term investment across sectors including chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, food production, water technologies, and advanced materials.

The exhibition covers six core product groups, spanning the full process industry lifecycle, from industrial engineering and process technology to laboratory and analytical solutions, automation and digital systems, packaging and supply chain solutions, and innovation-led R&D. This integrated scope reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of modern process industries and the need for cross-disciplinary solutions.

Programme content is structured around six innovation themes — process, pharma, lab, digital, green, and energy innovation — delivered through CPD-accredited conferences, technical sessions and expert-led discussions addressing current industrial challenges and future pathways, including electrification, bioprocessing, AI-enabled operations and circular economy models.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Exhibitions, said: “ACHEMA Middle East is not just a regional extension – it’s a strategic evolution. By bringing ACHEMA to Riyadh, we’re creating a platform where science, engineering and industrial innovation align with the ambitions of one of the world’s most dynamic industrial economies.”

Azzan Mohammed, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, added: “Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant industrial transformation. ACHEMA Middle East reflects how international collaboration and knowledge exchange can support regional progress and contribute to the development of sustainable, competitive industrial ecosystems.”

Strong early interest is reflected in confirmed international brands including Yokogawa, GMM Pfaudler, Hach, Beckhoff, Aptek, Pharmadule Morimatsu, Tofflon and Sealmatic, indicating solid market engagement ahead of the inaugural edition.

With its emphasis on technical depth, system integration and applied knowledge exchange, ACHEMA Middle East 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in the region’s evolving process industry landscape.

Mounting Environmental Pressures

From carbon emissions to catastrophic oil spills, the industry’s environmental footprint is undeniable. The oil sector is responsible for around 12–15% of total global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, with oil alone accounting for over 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Events such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill, which released nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or more recent pipeline leaks in North America, remain stark reminders of the ecological risks tied to extraction and transportation.

Local communities are also severely affected. In the Niger Delta, an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of oil have been spilled over the past five decades—wreaking havoc on ecosystems and livelihoods, and prompting lawsuits against oil majors like Shell. Meanwhile, global oil consumption continues to rise, projected at 103 million barrels per day in 2025, intensifying pressure on oil-dependent economies as temperatures soar and extreme weather events grow more frequent.

The Industry’s Shifting Response

Despite these challenges, oil companies are not standing still. Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest energy producer, has announced investments in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects, with a target of capturing 11 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2035.

BP and Shell have pledged billions toward renewables and hydrogen. BP alone has allocated $5 billion annually for low-carbon projects, while Shell says it aims to invest $10–15 billion between 2023 and 2025 in renewable power, hydrogen, and carbon capture. Yet critics argue these sums still pale compared to their oil and gas expenditures, which remain at multiples of these figures.

“Energy companies are under dual pressure,” notes Dr. Lina El-Sayed, an environmental economist at King’s College London. “They must meet the world’s growing demand for energy—forecast to increase by 1.5% annually until 2030—while reducing their role in fueling climate change. It’s a delicate balancing act.”

Avoiding Conflict with the Planet

Experts suggest several pathways to reduce the tension between oil and the environment:

• Regulation and Oversight: Stronger frameworks like the Paris Agreement call for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, requiring oil-related emissions to fall by over 50% by 2030.
• Innovation and Technology: From AI-driven monitoring of pipelines to large-scale carbon capture facilities, technology could cut up to 70% of methane leaks, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.
• Diversification: Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are ramping up investment in solar and wind. The UAE aims for 44% of its energy mix to come from clean sources by 2050, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes 58.7 GW of renewable capacity.
• Community Engagement: Oil majors are increasingly expected to work with local communities, ensuring projects create shared economic and social benefits instead of leaving environmental scars.

A Critical Juncture

The future of the oil industry lies at a critical juncture. Failure to adapt risks not only environmental collapse but also economic obsolescence, as investors—who funneled $1.3 trillion into sustainable assets in 2024—demand greener alternatives. Conversely, proactive transformation could position the sector as part of the solution.

As Dr. El-Sayed puts it: “The oil industry doesn’t have to be the enemy of the environment. But it must evolve—faster than it ever has before.”

Sources

• International Energy Agency (IEA) – World Energy Outlook 2024
• UN Environment Programme – Emissions Gap Report
• U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – International Energy Statistics
• BP & Shell corporate sustainability reports (2023–2024)
• Saudi Aramco Climate and Sustainability disclosures
• World Bank – Data on Niger Delta oil spill impacts
• UNFCCC – Paris Agreement targets and frameworks

This article was developed with the support of AI-assisted research and writing tools.