Solar boost has seen renewables reach almost 50% of global capacity by 2025.
Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, which was shared with us exclusively on Tuesday, showed that renewable power accounted for almost half of 'world's electric capacity in 2013. This is due to a record-breaking increase in solar installations.
Some industry leaders have called for increased investment in fossil fuels as the Middle East conflict has resulted in record monthly gains. However, analysts claim that countries with greater renewable energy capacity have been protected from the market shock.
Francesco La Camera, Director-general of IRENA, said that the Middle East crisis "has in some ways confirmed dramatically" that fossil fuels are not a reliable source of energy security.
The data revealed that the global renewable power capacity had reached a new record of 5,149 gigawatts by the end 2025. This is an increase of 692 GW since 2024.
SOLAR SURGE IS THE?BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR
Solar capacity led the growth. Solar capacity grew 511 GW to 2,392GW by 2025, cementing its position as the largest renewable energy source in the world.
Data showed that the figures were far higher than the 116 GW increase in fossil fuel power capacity, and increased the share of renewables to 49.4% by 2025. This is up from 46.3% in the previous year.
La Camera reported that the additions made last year mean the sector is getting closer to the target.
He said that "this 700 gigawatts?means we could be very close in 2030 to the target of tripling, not exactly, but close."
Data shows that the growth rate in renewable capacity is expected to reach 15.5% in 2025, compared to a rate of growth of 15.1% in 2024.
Renewable groups said last year that to meet the 2030 target, they would need an annual growth rate of 16.6% between 2025-2030.
The total installed wind power capacity is now 1,291 GW.
Capacity is the measure of how much power a plant can produce. However, they will often generate less energy than their capacity when they are offline for maintenance or refuelling or during periods of low wind and sun.
In the first half 2025, data from the think tank Ember showed that renewable energy sources will generate more electricity than coal for the first ever. Renewables accounted for 34% of all global electricity.
The full-year data of 2025 has not yet been published. (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis; Susanna Tridale)
(source: Reuters)
