|
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.
|
Comments
Post a Comment