In 2025, 692 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy power plants were built, representing a 15.5 percent increase over the previous year. Renewable energy thus accounted for around 86 percent of the total newly built power plant capacity. The total capacity of global renewable energy power plants rose to 5,149 GW. This is according to the »Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026« from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
As in the previous year, solar energy accounted for the largest share of total expansion, with 511.2 GW (of which 510.3 GW was photovoltaic), representing approximately 75 percent. Wind energy followed with an increase of 159 GW. Together, solar and wind energy accounted for 96.8 percent of total net renewable energy expansion last year.
Asia remained at the forefront, accounting for 74.2 percent of total newly installed renewable energy capacity; the expansion of 513.3 GW corresponds to a growth rate of 21.6 percent. Africa recorded its highest capacity growth with an increase of 15.9 percent, or 11.3 GW, led by Ethiopia, South Africa, and Egypt. Another region that recorded its largest annual growth to date is the Middle East, with an increase of 28.9 percent, led by Saudi Arabia.
In terms of total global renewable energy capacity, Asia retains its leading position with 2,891 GW, followed by Europe with a total of 934 GW. Central America and the Caribbean had the lowest renewable energy capacity, with a total of 21 GW.
© PHOTON
