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.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates / Brasília, Brazil, October 14, 2025 – The world is falling behind on its renewable energy and efficiency goals despite record progress last year, confirms a new report released today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the COP30 Brazilian Presidency, and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) during a pre-COP30 high-level event in Brasília.

In 2024, global renewable capacity additions reached an unprecedented 582 GW. Yet this is still not enough to stay on track for the COP28 UAE Consensus target of tripling renewables to 11.2 TW by 2030. Meeting that goal now demands a staggering 1 122 GW of added capacity every year from 2025 onward, requiring annual growth to accelerate to 16.6% through the decade, according to the second official tracking report on the landmark energy goals set by the UAE Consensus at COP28.

The progress report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking progress toward tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 also highlights that energy efficiency is an equally great concern. Global energy intensity improved by just 1% in 2024, far below the 4% annual gains needed to meet the UAE Consensus goal and keep the 1.5°C target alive.

The report calls for urgent action to:

• integrate renewable targets into national climate plans (NDC 3.0) ahead of COP30 in Belém;
• double collective NDC ambition to align with the global renewables goal; and
• scale investment in renewables to at least USD 1.4 trillion per year in 2025–2030 –more than doubling the USD 624 billion invested in 2024.

In light of the report findings, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “The clean energy revolution is unstoppable. Renewables are deployed faster and cheaper than fossil fuels – driving growth, jobs, and affordable power. But the window to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach is rapidly closing.  We must step up, scale up and speed up the just energy transition – for everyone, everywhere.”

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA added: “The world has broken renewable capacity records, but records alone will not keep 1.5°C alive. Renewables are not just the most cost-effective climate solution; they are the biggest economic opportunity of our time. This report shows the path: accelerate deployment, modernise grids, scale clean-tech and strengthen supply chains. Every dollar invested brings growth, jobs and energy security. As the custodian agency tracking progress toward the global renewables goal, we call for greater ambition. By raising targets, mobilising finance and deepening cooperation, major economies can lead the energy transition and make COP30 a milestone.”

Ben Backwell, Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, said: “The private sector is driving the energy transition, providing three-quarters of global clean energy investment. Our industries, led by wind, solar and hydropower, are already delivering growth, jobs and security. What we need now are long-term government plans that match national ambitions; we need pipelines that deliver projects. Plans must deliver enabling action on grids and storage and help maximise the benefits of the energy transition. This report shows that the march to renewable energy abundance is underway – and it’s time for us to accelerate.”

The world’s major advanced and emerging economies must take the lead, according to the recommendations of the new report. G20 nations are projected to account for over 80% of global renewables by 2030, with the richest developed economies of the G7 expected to shoulder a leadership role by raising their share to around 20% of global capacity within this decade.

Major global economies must also deliver on climate finance, meeting the USD 300 billion annual floor of the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) and scaling up towards the aspirational USD 1.3 trillion confirmed at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Beyond renewables, the report underlines the urgent need for investment in grids, supply chains, and clean-tech manufacturing for solar, wind, batteries and hydrogen.

While renewable energy investments grew by 7% in 2024, actual disbursements remain far below the levels required to build robust project pipelines and accelerate construction. As to supply chains, fair and transparent trade practices must be ensured for critical renewable energy technologies and international co-operation pursued to safeguard trade corridors for key materials and components.

Furthermore, strategic investment in modernising and expanding electricity grids is the essential foundation for integrating new capacity and strengthening energy security. Between now and 2030, an estimated USD 670 billion must be directed each year towards grids, with further investment required to rapidly scale up energy storage solutions, facilitate renewable integration and safeguard grid stability.

Read Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking progress toward tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.