IRENA touts 2025 renewables surge as case for resilience

Last year saw total renewable power capacity reach 5.2TW after the addition of 692GW, marking a 15.5% of annual increase, according to new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

According to the report, Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026, renewable energy dominates the total capacity expansion at 85.6% share, while non-renewables continue to account for a smaller share of additions.

IRENA, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, related the report to geopolitical tensions, which it says have been placing energy into the global spotlight; specifically, the escalation in the Middle East has raised fresh concerns over supply security and fossil fuel price volatility. 

Against this backdrop, says the Agency, renewable energy is gaining attention to build more resilient systems that are less vulnerable to international shocks. 

According to IRENA, 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 in a release was IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera: “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.”

By technology and country

According to the report, in line with the previous year, solar energy led the increase, accounting for 511GW, or approximately 75% share in the total renewables capacity addition. Wind energy followed suit, adding 159GW. 

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 3.4GW to total renewable energy expansion.

The report also notes, however, persistent and significant disparities amongst countries and regions. 

Asia continued to lead with a 74.2% contribution to all new renewable capacity; the 513.3GW additions represent a growth rate of 21.6%. 

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Africa recorded its highest capacity increase, rising by 15.9% or adding 11.3GW, 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 kept its top position with 2,891GW of total renewables capacity, followed by Europe which recorded 934GW in total. Central America and the Caribbean had the lowest renewables capacity with a total of 21GW in 2025. 

This disparity, said IRENA, exposes the vulnerability of economies with low share of renewables and underscores the need to increase the share for their energy security.

Technology highlights from the report include:

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