• Renewable power accounted for 92.5% of global capacity additions in 2024.
• Solar and wind energy represented nearly 97% of these additions.
• Significant geographic disparity persists, with Asia (led by China) dominating growth.

Renewable energy capacity surged by a record 585 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, reaching a total global capacity of 4,448 GW—marking the fastest annual growth rate ever at 15.1%, according to the Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025 report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

However, despite this historic expansion, current progress remains insufficient to meet global climate goals. To triple installed renewable energy capacity by 2030—an international target—capacity must now expand annually by 16.6%.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, said: “The continuous growth of renewables we witness each year is evidence that renewables are economically viable and readily deployable. Each year they keep breaking their own expansion records, but we also face the same challenges of great regional disparities and the ticking clock as the 2030 deadline is imminent.”

Asia continues to lead renewable deployment, contributing significantly to the global capacity expansion, with China alone accounting for 64%. Conversely, regions such as Central America and the Caribbean accounted for only 3.2%, reflecting ongoing regional disparities.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency for accelerated and equitable growth:

“Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air. Renewables renew economies. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer – with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean renewable power.”

Solar power saw remarkable growth with 452 GW added globally, of which China alone contributed 278 GW, followed by India with 24.5 GW. Wind energy, despite a slight slowdown, reached 1,133 GW, largely driven by China and the U.S.

Hydropower capacity rebounded, driven by expansions in China and notable additions in Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

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Bioenergy and geothermal power also experienced growth, with bioenergy additions rebounding significantly, driven by projects in China and France, and geothermal expansions led by New Zealand, Indonesia, Türkiye, and the U.S.

Off-grid renewable electricity capacity nearly tripled, reaching 14.3 GW, primarily driven by solar projects.

IRENA urges global governments to leverage the upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) to clearly define renewable energy targets, ensuring collaborative international efforts, especially to support ambitions in the Global South.

Read the full Renewable Capacity Statistics here.

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