Over 70 percent of global renewable energy capacity added in 2024 came from Asia, leaving other regions, particularly Africa, far behind, according to the Renewable Energy Statistics 2025 published today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The report reveals that despite a strong global expansion of renewable energy—growing by more than 15 percent in 2024—the gap in regional progress continues to widen. Asia alone accounted for 71 percent of new capacity additions, followed by Europe at 12.3 percent and North America at 7.8 percent. In stark contrast, Africa, Eurasia, Central America, and the Caribbean combined contributed just 2.8 percent to the total.
While Africa’s renewable capacity grew by 7.2 percent, the region remains underpowered despite its vast untapped potential and development needs. “The renewable energy boom is transforming global energy markets, driving economies and creating vast investment opportunities,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “But the growing regional divide shows that not everyone is benefiting equally from this transition.”
He stressed that targeted policies, international financing, and partnerships are essential to close the investment gap. “Aligning capital flows with supportive policy frameworks can ensure the green transition becomes a global engine of resilience and growth.”
Echoing this urgency, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized the need for speed and equity: “To deliver on the COP28 goal of tripling renewables by 2030, we must move faster and prioritize vulnerable developing nations. The payoff will be enormous—cutting emissions, generating jobs, and ensuring affordable, secure energy for all.”
IRENA, which monitors progress toward the 2030 global target of 11.2 terawatts (TW) of installed renewable capacity, reported that 582 gigawatts (GW) were added in 2024—a record high, yet still not enough. At the current growth rate, the world is on track to reach only 10.3 TW by 2030, falling short by nearly 0.9 TW. Meeting the goal will require a 16.6 percent annual increase for the remaining years.
The report highlights the dominance of solar and wind energy in global growth. Together, they accounted for 97.5 percent of new additions in 2024. Solar alone surged by 453 GW, underlining its cost-effectiveness and scalability, while wind contributed 114 GW.
Renewables now make up 46.2 percent of global installed capacity—closing in on fossil fuels at 47.3 percent. This shift underscores the economic and environmental case for accelerating clean energy deployment.
In terms of generation, renewable electricity output rose 5.6 percent in 2023, reaching 8,928 terawatt-hours, compared to just 1.2 percent growth in non-renewable power. By the end of 2023, renewable sources contributed nearly 30 percent of global electricity generation.
Despite these gains, IRENA warns that without faster and more inclusive investment, the energy transition risks leaving large parts of the world behind.